Nicosia: Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, and her Croatian counterpart, Andreja Metelko-Zgombic, recently convened in Cyprus to explore avenues for bolstering bilateral cooperation. This dialogue is particularly significant in light of Cyprus’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2026.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the General Secretariat for European Affairs highlighted that the meeting reaffirmed the robust bilateral relations and close cooperation between Cyprus and Croatia on both national and EU levels. The discussions centered around strategies to further enhance this cooperation as Cyprus prepares to assume the EU Council Presidency in 2026.
During the meeting, Raouna briefed Metelko-Zgombic on the preparations for the Presidency. Both parties exchanged insights on key European issues that Cyprus will need to address, including the Multiannual Financial Framework, the Common Agricultural Policy, EU enlargement, and competitiveness within the union.
Moreover, the Deputy Ministers recognized the potential of the MED9, which Croatia is set to chair in 2026, as a platform to amplify the voices of Mediterranean EU member states. They aim to tackle mutual challenges and advocate for shared positions within the EU framework.
The conversation also touched on Middle Eastern developments, with Raouna emphasizing Cyprus’s pivotal role as a security and stability anchor in the region. She briefed Metelko-Zgombic on recent diplomatic engagements by President Christodoulides in Egypt and Lebanon, aiming for stronger EU influence and strategic relations in the Middle East and Gulf.
Migration was another key topic, with the Deputy Ministers stressing the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum. They underscored the necessity for effective management of migration’s external dimensions.
Raouna also updated her Croatian counterpart on the Cyprus problem, highlighting ongoing efforts by the Greek Cypriot side to resume negotiations based on United Nations Security Council resolutions. Cyprus has remained divided since the Turkish invasion in 1974, with previous UN-led peace efforts, including the 2017 Crans-Montana talks, failing to achieve resolution.