Riga: The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, commenced his official visit to Latvia on Thursday, marking the beginning of a series of diplomatic engagements across the Baltic region. This initiative comes as Cyprus prepares to assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2026.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides was officially welcomed at Riga Castle in the morning, where he engaged in a private meeting with Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics. The meeting was followed by extended discussions between the delegations of Cyprus and Latvia. The two presidents are expected to make statements to the media following their talks.
Further into his visit, President Christodoulides was scheduled to attend a lunch with Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina. His itinerary also included a visit to the Freedom Monument for a wreath-laying ceremony, as well as tours of the Occupation Museum and the NATO Strategic Communications Center of Excel
lence. The day was set to conclude with an official dinner hosted in his honor by the President of Latvia.
The Presidency indicated that President Christodoulides will depart for Lithuania tonight. On Friday, he is scheduled to meet Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda in Vilnius for private talks, media statements, and a working lunch. The President will then travel to Tallinn, Estonia, to meet with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal and President Alar Karis.
Discussions during these visits are expected to address bilateral relations, the situation in Ukraine, developments in the Middle East, and priorities for the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU. President Christodoulides is accompanied by Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna, Deputy Government Spokesperson Yiannis Antoniou, and other officials. He is scheduled to return to Cyprus on Friday evening.