Cyprus rail network relaunch: UNIFE urges EU action

Cyprus rail network relaunch is back on the agenda as Cyprus holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, according to the Cyprus Presidency website and a UNIFE statement.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

UNIFE says bringing rail transport back to the island—absent since 1951—could support local connectivity and also add to the security and resilience of European transport networks, particularly freight flows to ports and international markets.

Cyprus rail network relaunch and a return of trains

Cyprus has had no passenger or freight rail services since 1951. UNIFE argues that the current EU Council Presidency could initiate the planning phase for a new rail system, including freight transport to ports.

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In its view, that would facilitate faster connections for trade flows beyond the island. The idea has also received public support from Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, as outlined in coverage by Railway Pro.

Public Procurement Directive revision and EU-made railway products

In parallel, UNIFE says the Cypriot Presidency should take a leading role in the Public Procurement Directive revision expected in the first half of 2026. The association is calling for rules that allow Member States to prioritise railway products manufactured in the European Union, presenting this as a measure to protect the security of critical infrastructure and strengthen European industrial autonomy.

ERTMS, military mobility, and cost reduction priorities

UNIFE also calls on Cyprus to accelerate the implementation of ERTMS on Europe’s key rail corridors, describing it as essential for fast, safe, and interoperable traffic for both civil and military movements. At the same time, the association says the Military Mobility Package, presented by the European Commission at the end of 2025, must be fully implemented. UNIFE adds that harmonising railway standards at European level is vital for the dual use of infrastructure, continuing a direction previously set by the Polish Presidency of the EU Council.

Alongside these strategic files, UNIFE says the Cypriot Presidency should continue the efforts begun by the Danish Presidency, focused on reducing costs in the rail sector. That work, UNIFE notes, centres on harmonising standards, simplifying regulations, and taking a coherent approach to cybersecurity requirements.

UNIFE Director General Enno Wiebe said Cyprus’s term comes at a key moment for the European rail industry. Pointing to the Polish Presidency’s focus on competitiveness and the Danish Presidency’s focus on cost reduction, he said Cyprus is expected to take the next step toward a resilient and future-proof European rail system.

Wiebe also stressed that reforms in public procurement, military mobility, and regulatory simplification are essential, given the importance of strengthening passenger, freight, and military links in Europe. UNIFE said it is ready to work with the Government of Cyprus and the European Commission during the Presidency to advance rail projects and strategic dossiers relevant to the sector.

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