Cyprus to host 225 meetings and conferences during its EU presidency

The Cabinet held an extraordinary session to assess the course of preparations for the Cyprus EU Presidency in the first half of 2026. It is expected that 225 meetings and conferences will be hosted in Cyprus, of which 15 are expected to be informal Councils of Ministers.

Deputy Minister of European Affairs Marilena Raouna told the press after the 19 June Cabinet meeting that preparations are intensive and that the Government and the President want the Presidency to be successful and this is a top priority.

She noted that this requires teamwork and coordination to fulfill the national mission and the joint vision, adding that holding the rotating presidency is a huge challenge but also a huge opportunity with multiple benefits for Cyprus, a divided member state.

She said that there is a daily coordination under the President and that today she presented her fellow Ministers the course of planning, implementation and preparations for the assumption of the presidency. Raouna said that there is a close cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with all Ministries and Deputy Ministries, as well as with our permanent representation in the EU.

She said that there is a plan and scheduled goals that are constantly and methodically monitored to bring about the desired result.

The Deputy Minister said that Cyprus has highlighted a number of important issues such as the social dimension of EU policies, the effective management of the migration issue with an emphasis on the external dimension, maritime security and the green transition as well as the EU's relations with countries in the Middle East and the Gulf.

She said that the dossiers Cyprus will be dealing with include approximately 260 topics, around 180 working groups and sub-groups and this number is expected to increase.

Raouna added that the consultation to determine the priorities will be intensive, broad and inclusive and is expected to be completed shortly before the assumption of our presidency through a series of meetings and consultations with all Ministries, Deputy Ministries as well as with other partners and stakeholders.

According to Raouna 225 meetings and conferences are expected to be hosted across the island and 15 are expected to be informal Councils of Ministers.

The mapping of staffing needs with all the Ministries both in Cyprus and in Brussels has also been completed and within the next few days a relevant proposal will be submitted to the Cabinet. She praised the personnel in Cyprus and its capabilities adding that we have also gained experience in the last 20 years being a Member State.

Replying to a question about the staffing needs, the Deputy Minister said that mobility in the civil service will be followed as well as hiring for a short amount of time.

In addition there will be liaison officers and stagiaires to support the Presidency.

Cyprus joined the EU in 2004. This is the second time it assumes the EU presidency and the trio includes Poland and Denmark.

(Source: CNA)