Profile

Vassos Koutsioundas served as Chair of the Council Working Party on Sport during the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2012. With a strong background in sports administration and European affairs, he has been actively engaged in the development of EU sport policy and the promotion of sport as a tool for public health, social inclusion, and economic growth.

At the national level, he has held senior positions within the Cyprus Sport Organisation (CSO), contributing to the formulation of national strategies in areas such as sport governance, infrastructure development, and international cooperation. His involvement in EU sport matters dates back to the early stages of the EU’s engagement in sport, allowing him to play a central role in shaping the priorities and implementation of the first EU Work Plan for Sport (2011–2014).

How were you selected to serve as Chair of the WPS, and in what ways did your prior experience contribute to your role during the Cyprus Presidency?

Within the framework of the Cyprus Presidency, the Ministry of Education and Culture, through the Cyprus Sport Organisation, assumed responsibility for sport. Given my prior experience in coordinating EU affairs within the national administration and my active participation in EU sport discussions since the early 2000s, I was appointed to chair the Working Party on Sport. My earlier participation in various expert groups before the establishment of the Working Party on Sport in 2010, such as the Expert Group on Sport and Statistics, which led to the Vilnius Definition of Sport, and the Expert Group on the White Paper on Sport, provided a strong background in EU cooperation mechanisms and policy formulation. This experience proved invaluable in navigating the discussions and building consensus among Member States.

Which preparations, activities, or support systems contributed most to the success of your WPS Chairmanship during the Cyprus Presidency?

Extensive coordination and early planning were essential. The Presidency benefited from the excellent cooperation of the Council Secretariat and the European Commission, as well as the dedication of the small but highly motivated Cypriot Presidency team. We placed particular emphasis on maintaining continuity with the Polish and Danish Presidencies, ensuring that our priorities aligned with the broader objectives of the EU Work Plan for Sport.

A key factor in the preparation phase was the participation in various training courses provided by the Cyprus Academy of Public Administration, which focused on negotiation skills, EU procedures, and leadership during Council Presidencies. These courses, together with the training sessions offered by the General Secretariat of the Council, strengthened the team’s capacity to manage complex discussions and formal meetings. Close collaboration with sport stakeholders, including the Commission’s Sport Unit, also proved instrumental in preparing the policy documents.

Looking back, what motivated you to take on the WPS Chair, and in what ways did the experience influence your professional career?

The opportunity to contribute directly to EU policy-making at a time when sport was a newly established EU competence was both a challenge and an honour. Chairing the Working Party offered a unique perspective on how EU institutions, Member States, and stakeholders interact in shaping common objectives. The experience significantly deepened my understanding of European governance in sport and strengthened my commitment to advancing the integration of sport within EU public policy frameworks. It also provided lasting professional connections and partnerships that continue to benefit Cyprus and the region.

What do you consider the most significant achievements of EU sports policy, and how successful has the EU been in advancing sport at the European level?

The Lisbon Treaty marked a turning point by introducing sport as an EU competence. Since then, major achievements have included the establishment of structured cooperation through the EU Work Plan for Sport, the development of evidence-based policymaking tools such as sport satellite accounts, and the creation of Erasmus+ Sport. The EU has successfully raised the political and economic profile of sport, even within the limits of its supporting competence, and promoted cooperation on integrity, governance, and public health through sport.

What do you consider the highlight of your presidency, particularly in light of the implementation of the first EU Work Plan for Sport (2011–2014)?

The Cyprus Presidency focused on three main priorities.

First, the promotion of health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA), culminating in the Council Conclusions on the promotion of HEPA, which included the proposal to establish the European Week of Sport — an idea that would later materialize and become one of the EU’s flagship initiatives in sport.

Second, the advancement of evidence-based sport policy, reflected in the Council Conclusions on strengthening evidence-based decision-making, with particular emphasis on the development of sport satellite accounts as a tool to measure the economic impact of sport.

Third, the effort to develop a European strategy to combat the manipulation of sport results. Although the initiative was not ultimately endorsed as Council Conclusions due to the objection of one Member State, it was adopted as Presidency Conclusions, sending a strong political message that paved the way for subsequent EU and international actions in the field of sport integrity.

How would you describe your cooperation with the European Commission, the Council Secretariat, and your Presidency Trio partners during your WPS Chairmanship?

The cooperation was excellent. The Commission, particularly the Sport Unit of DG EAC, provided continuous technical expertise and ensured policy coherence. The Council Secretariat’s guidance was invaluable in managing the procedural aspects of the Working Party and drafting the final texts. Close coordination with the Polish and Danish Presidencies within the Trio ensured policy continuity and a smooth implementation of the first EU Work Plan for Sport. The collaborative atmosphere across institutions and Member States contributed greatly to the success of the Presidency.

Which key policy documents and initiatives were prepared or adopted during your presidency, and how did they contribute to EU sports policy?

Three key documents defined the Cyprus Presidency’s contribution to EU sports policy:

• Council Conclusions on the promotion of health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA), which introduced the proposal for the European Week of Sport;
• Council Conclusions on strengthening evidence-based policy-making in sport, supporting the development of sport satellite accounts; and
• Presidency Conclusions on combating the manipulation of sport results, reflecting the EU’s growing focus on integrity and ethics in sport.

Together, these initiatives reinforced the EU’s multidimensional approach to sport policy — linking public health, economic analysis, and integrity — and laid the groundwork for several long-term EU priorities in the following Work Plans.

Looking back, what do you consider the main outcomes and lasting impact of your presidency, both at the EU and national level?

The most enduring legacy of the 2012 Cyprus Presidency is undoubtedly the establishment of the European Week of Sport, which has since evolved into one of the EU’s most visible and successful sport initiatives, promoting physical activity across all Member States. At the national level, the Presidency enhanced Cyprus’s administrative capacity in European affairs and positioned the Cyprus Sport Organisation as a credible and trusted partner within EU sport structures. The experience strengthened the foundation for Cyprus’s continued engagement in shaping EU sport policy and promoting sport as a driver for health, inclusion, and growth.