EU Presidency opportunity to highlight Cyprus' role, President says

The assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2026 is an opportunity to further highlight the role of Cyprus as a bridge between Europe and our region, President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, said presenting the Official Governance Agenda 2025 at the Presidential Palace.

Speaking on the evening of 29 January, he said that in 2025, the government will proceed with the necessary preparation and is working on the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency, "working essentially for further European integration and strengthening the its strategic autonomy".

Our goal, he added, is a Presidency that is not limited to managing the European agenda, but that can with deeds and not with words- as an honest mediator- shape policies and promote effective solutions that promote the common European interests, for a more resilient, more competitive Europe with more solidarity.

"The assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2026 is an opportunity to further highlight the role of Cyprus as a bridge between Europe and our region, but also as a beneficial, effective and reliable partner, as a member state that is with deeds and not with words, at the hard core of the Union", the President stressed.

He added that in 2025, the government will expand its strategic and development cooperation with states in which it has no diplomatic mission. "We are utilising educational and humanitarian diplomacy for this purpose through the upgraded Cyprus Aid agency" the President said.

Finally, he pointed out that "by recognising the importance of the African continent, we are proceeding, through institutionalised cooperation especially with other European Union states, to strengthen our bilateral relations".

(Source: CNA)