Nicosia: On 30 and 31 October 2025, the Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA), the Cyprus Center for European and International Affairs (CCEIA), and the Department of Politics and Governance of the University of Nicosia will host a significant conference in Nicosia. The event will focus on discussing the priorities of the Cypriot Council Presidency. This conference is supported by the European Union, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), and the Cyprus Forum.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Cyprus is set to succeed Denmark in holding the presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 January 2026. The conference will provide a platform to evaluate how the current global environment impacts both Europe and Cyprus, especially as the island is strategically positioned amid regional tensions. Attendees will include policymakers, academia, and civil society representatives, such as Nikolas A. Ioannidis, Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection of the Republic of Cyprus, Theodoros Gkotsis, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, and the Ambassadors of France and Greece to Cyprus.
Andreas Theophanous, President of CCEIA, emphasized the importance of the conference, stating that Cyprus will assume the Council Presidency during a time of geopolitical tension and essential debates about the EU’s future. As security concerns continue to influence the European agenda, the ongoing Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus remains a critical issue. The conference aims to serve as a vital forum for exploring how Cyprus can contribute to European security, stability, and prosperity.
TEPSA’s Executive Director, Mariam Khotenashvili, highlighted the challenges of the Cypriot Presidency, noting the need for EU unity and timely action on issues such as Palestine, increased EU support to Ukraine, and competitiveness. The conference will address these topics through various panels, including discussions on the objectives of the Trio Presidency, European security challenges, EU enlargement, democracy, socioeconomic paradigms, and energy challenges.
The Cypriot Pre-Presidency Conference will take place at the UNESCO Amphitheatre of the University of Nicosia. It is a flagship initiative of TEPSA, co-organized with CCEIA and the University of Nicosia, with support from NUPI, the Cyprus Forum, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus. Registrations for the conference are open online, and all panel discussions will be livestreamed on TEPSA’s YouTube channel.