Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Affairs, Krzysztof Gawkowski, visited the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) in Nicosia on January 15, 2026, marking a diplomatic exchange as Cyprus assumes the European Union Council presidency.
The visit was described by RIF as a special honor for Cyprus’s research and innovation ecosystem. Dimitris Skourides, Cyprus’s Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation, and Technology and chair of RIF’s board, hosted Gawkowski and the Polish delegation at RIF’s offices.
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Discussions centered on digital transformation, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence (AI). The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in AI and cybersecurity, recognising shared challenges and development opportunities in these areas.
Skourides presented RIF’s work and achievements, highlighting the organisation’s strategic role in developing Cyprus’s economy and strengthening the national research and innovation system. Gawkowski praised Cyprus’s momentum in technology, laying the groundwork for future joint initiatives between the two countries.
The meeting included a symbolic exchange, a metaphor for bridging tradition and technology. Skourides gave the Polish Deputy Prime Minister Cypriot handicrafts and cultural heritage objects created using digital means and 3D printing. The pieces were made possible through collaboration with the UNESCO Chair in Digital Cultural Heritage at Cyprus University of Technology (CUT).
The initiative is part of a larger project following an agreement between Sweden’s Ministry of Culture and CUT. The collaboration enabled the digital repatriation of thousands of Cypriot cultural heritage objects excavated by the Swedish Cyprus Expedition (1927-1931) and held abroad. Through this approach, Cyprus demonstrates how cutting-edge technology can preserve, digitally repatriate, and make the island’s history accessible worldwide through Europeana’s Open Access library.
The meeting brought together high-level delegations from both countries.
From RIF, attendees included Theodoros Loukaidis (General Director), Andreas Efstathiou (Vice Chair of the Board), and Dr. Konstantinos Kleovoulou (Board Member).
From the Polish government, attendees included Ambassador to Cyprus Marek Szczepanowski, Katarzyna Antoniak (Director of the Minister’s Office), Rafał Kownacki (Director of International Cooperation), Łukasz Rogowski (Deputy Director of International Cooperation), and Karol Czerwiec (Ministerial Advisor).
The visit confirmed strong ties between Cyprus and Poland, establishing the foundation for closer cooperation in digital technology and scientific research.
