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Demetris Skourides Represents Cyprus At Key European Science Bodies

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 15, 2026

Cyprus strengthened its presence in European scientific policymaking through the participation of Chief Scientist for Research, Innovation and Technology Demetris Skourides in meetings held in Austria and Germany focused on evidence-based governance and scientific cooperation.

European Scientific Leadership In Vienna

Held on June 10, 2026, the ESAF Intermediate Meeting in Vienna brought together participants at the Austrian Academy of Sciences to discuss the role of scientific advice in EU policymaking.

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Established by the European Commission in 2014, the European Science Advisors Forum (ESAF) promotes the use of scientific evidence in policymaking. Serving as Deputy Chair of ESAF and a member of its Executive Committee, Demetris Skourides participated in discussions on the European Code of Principles for Scientific Advice and approaches aimed at strengthening security and resilience through anticipatory scientific strategies.

Advancing Innovation In Karlsruhe

Following the Vienna meeting, Skourides attended the 139th meeting of the Board of Governors of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Karlsruhe on June 11 and 12. Providing independent scientific and technical expertise to EU institutions, the JRC supports policymaking in areas including climate change, public health, nuclear safety and digital technologies. During the meeting, Skourides presented an overview of Cyprus’ achievements in research and innovation during its Presidency of the Council of the European Union and highlighted the country’s contributions to European scientific initiatives.

Charting A Path For Evidence-Based Governance

Discussions in Vienna and Karlsruhe reflected wider European efforts to strengthen the role of scientific evidence in policymaking. Among the issues addressed were the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034, nuclear safety, EURATOM and cooperation with agencies including FRONTEX. Active participation in these forums allows Cyprus to contribute to policy discussions on research, innovation and resilience at the European level.

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Cyprus Fuel Prices Jump 20.5% As Energy Costs Rise Across The EU

Cyprus recorded a 20.5% year-on-year increase in the prices of fuels and lubricants for personal transport in May 2026, according to Eurostat data released on Monday.

The increase was broadly in line with the European Union average of 20.7%, with fuel and lubricant prices rising across all EU member states during the period.

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Cyprus Tracks The EU Average

Among EU countries, the largest annual increases were recorded in Bulgaria (33.9%), Luxembourg (32.2%), Lithuania (30.8%) and Romania (30.4%). At the other end of the scale, Hungary registered the smallest increase at 3.5%, while annual growth ranged from 12.7% in Poland to 29.2% in France across the remaining member states.

Eurostat noted that fuel and lubricant prices generally declined across the EU until February 2026 before moving higher in subsequent months.

Diesel And Petrol Follow Different Paths

Across the European Union, diesel prices increased by 29% in May 2026 compared with the same month a year earlier, while petrol prices rose by 16.2%. Monthly trends, however, were more mixed. Between April and May 2026, diesel prices across the EU fell by 5.8%, whereas petrol prices increased by 0.8%.

In Cyprus, diesel prices declined by 1.5% over the same period. Although lower than in April, the decrease was less pronounced than in Germany (-11.9%), Greece (-8.5%), Estonia (-8.4%) and Ireland (-8.1%).

Petrol prices moved in the opposite direction, rising by 2.1% between April and May. A similar pattern was observed across much of the EU, with 23 member states reporting monthly increases. Italy recorded the largest monthly rise in petrol prices at 6.9%, while decreases were reported in Germany (-5.6%), Ireland (-2.0%) and Sweden (-0.7%).