Nicosia: The success of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU is a success for everyone, according to Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna. She briefed the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign and European Affairs, emphasizing the significance of the upcoming Presidency. The Committee members expressed their support for a successful tenure.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Raouna informed the Committee that with 22 days remaining until Cyprus assumes the Presidency, the high-level programme has been finalized. President Nikos Christodoulides is scheduled to present the programme on December 21 in Lefkara, with subsequent presentations in Brussels and Strasbourg.
The Deputy Minister highlighted that the priority programme was developed based on the 18-month joint programme of the Presidency trio with Poland and Denmark, the EU’s strategic agenda for the next five years, and issues each Member State wishes to emphasize. Key issues for the Cyprus Presidency include migration, housing, poverty alleviation, maritime safety, mental health, reducing administrative stress for small and medium-sized enterprises, and finalizing pending EU free trade agreements with third countries.
Nicosia aims to advance the EU enlargement process, which Raouna described as a “geopolitical necessity.” A work plan has been established with the Commission to address this priority. Cyprus will handle 330 legislative and other dossiers inherited from Denmark, negotiating them in 190 working groups and subgroups in Brussels. Additionally, Cyprus will negotiate the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) concerning the EU budget and policy allocations for the next seven years.
The Cyprus Presidency will also focus on implementing the Pact on Asylum and Migration. During its tenure, 261 meetings are planned in Cyprus, including 23 high-level meetings and an informal European Council on April 23-24, 2026. Cyprus is also preparing to host the 10 countries of the “Mediterranean Pact” on April 24.
Furthermore, the Presidency will feature 19 informal ministerial councils, an international ministerial conference, and two ministerial conferences. Direct flights between Larnaca and Brussels, initiated on December 1, will operate five times a week during the Presidency, with reduced frequency continuing until the end of 2026, Raouna noted.