Soaring Construction Costs And The European Housing Crisis

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 12, 2025

Rising construction expenses and their subsequent impact on housing availability were the focal points during high-level discussions in Brussels. At the center of these talks was Stephanos Pierides, Secretary General of the Federation of Associations of Building Contractors (Oseok) and Head of Environmental Issues at the European Construction Industry Federation (Fiec), who highlighted the escalating financial pressures faced by the industry.

Industry Leaders Address Affordability Challenges

During his visit, Pierides engaged in separate meetings with Cypriot Members of the European Parliament, including Loukas Fourlas, Michalis Hatzipandelas, and Costas Mavrides. The discussions underscored how surging costs are straining the construction sector and exacerbating issues of housing affordability across Europe.

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Enhancing Strategic EU Collaboration

Pierides also met with Demetris Petrides, an Attaché at the Permanent Representation of Cyprus to the EU, with a clear agenda to bolster cooperation leading up to Cyprus’s forthcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026. This dialogue is seen as instrumental in aligning national and EU-level policies that influence the future trajectory of the construction sector.

Commitment To Sustainability And Resilience

As Chairman of Fiec’s Subcommittee on Environment, Pierides actively contributed to discussions with Energy and Housing Commissioner Dan Jorgensen. Key topics included water adequacy and the pivotal role of the construction industry in supporting Europe’s transition towards greater resilience and sustainability.

The Road Ahead

Oseok’s involvement in Fiec not only reinforces Cyprus’s strategic stance but also ensures that national interests are effectively represented in shaping European policies. This active participation is crucial as the construction sector navigates growing challenges while steering towards a more sustainable future.

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Central Bank Of Cyprus Balance Sheet Reflects Strong Eurosystem Position

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 17, 2026

Overview Of Financial Stability

The Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC) has released its latest balance sheet, reaffirming its steadfast role within the Eurosystem. The balance sheet, featuring total assets and liabilities of €29.545 billion, underscores the institution’s stable financial posture at the close of January 2026.

Asset Allocation And Strategic Holdings

Governor Christodoulos Patsalides issued the balance sheet, which details the CBC’s asset composition under the Eurosystem framework. Notably, the bank’s gold and gold receivables amounted to €1.635 billion, providing a significant hedge and stability to its balance sheet. Additional asset categories include claims on non-euro area residents denominated in foreign currency at €1.099 billion, while claims on euro area residents in both foreign and domestic currency add further depth to its portfolio.

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The most substantial asset category, intra-Eurosystem claims, reached €19.438 billion, an indication of the CBC’s deep integration with its European counterparts. Furthermore, euro-denominated securities held by euro area residents contributed €6.587 billion. Despite a marked emphasis on these areas, lending to euro area credit institutions in monetary policy operations recorded no activity during the period.

Liability Structure And Monetary Policy Implications

On the liabilities side, banknotes in circulation contributed €3.218 billion. Liabilities to euro area credit institutions associated with monetary policy operations were notably the largest single category, totaling €17.636 billion. Supplementary liabilities included those to other euro area residents, which aggregated to €4.989 billion, with government liabilities playing a predominant role at €4.754 billion.

Other liability items, such as claims related to special drawing rights allocated by the International Monetary Fund at €494.193 million, and provisions of €596.571 million, further articulate the CBC’s exposure. Revaluation accounts stood at €1.643 billion, and overall capital and reserves were confirmed at €333.822 million, completing the picture of a well-capitalized institution.

Conclusive Insights And Strategic Alignment

The detailed breakdown illustrates the CBC’s sizeable intra-Eurosystem exposures, reinforcing its central role within Europe’s monetary landscape. With an asset-liability balance maintained at €29.545 billion, the CBC’s financial position remains robust, indicating a commitment to structural stability and strategic risk management.

This fiscal disclosure not only provides transparency into the CBC’s operations but also serves as a benchmark for comparative analysis among other central banks within the Eurosystem, highlighting the intricate balance between asset liquidity, regulatory oversight, and monetary policy imperatives.

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