Federation Officers host a working dinner with EU Commissioner Costas Kadis

On 13 March 2026, the Officers of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK hosted a working dinner with the European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis.

The dinner provided an opportunity for the Federation’s Officers to discuss the Commissioner’s priorities, his recent meetings in London, the work of the European Commission, and the EU’s response to the recent drone attack at RAF Akrotiri.

Commissioner Kadis thanked the Federation for its hospitality and outlined the European Commission’s work to protect fish stocks, support maritime sustainability and preserve maritime heritage. He also discussed the ongoing negotiations between the European Union and the United Kingdom on fisheries.

During the discussion, Commissioner Kadis highlighted the regulatory framework governing fisheries and noted that a significant proportion of seafood consumed within the EU is imported from outside the Union. He also emphasised the scale of illegal fishing globally, noting that “20% of seafood worldwide originates from illegal fishing, representing over €10 billion in value.”

The Commissioner further addressed the impact of regional instability on maritime activity, including disruptions to shipping routes caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly affecting vessels travelling through the Strait of Hormuz.

Given Commissioner Kadis’ previous role as Cyprus’ Minister of Agriculture, the discussion also covered the recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak affecting livestock in Cyprus and the European Union’s response to the situation.

Speaking after the dinner, Federation President Christos Karaolis said: “It was an honour to host Commissioner Costas Kadis and to discuss the important work being undertaken by the European Commission. We particularly appreciated the Commissioner’s insights on the challenges facing global fisheries, the fight against illegal fishing, regional instability affecting maritime routes, and the ongoing discussions between the European Union and the United Kingdom.”

Also in attendance was Deputy High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Spyros Miltiades.