Brussels: President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides visited the newly renovated Permanent Representation of Cyprus to the European Union in Brussels, in preparation for Cyprus’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU, set to commence in 70 days.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides described this presidency as a “golden national opportunity” for Cyprus, emphasizing that the island nation will demonstrate its influence not by its size but through its dedication and professionalism in serving European interests. Starting January 1, 2026, for a period of 181 days, Cyprus will lead the Council of the EU, representing all 27 member states, and will mark the second time Cyprus has held this position since its inaugural presidency in 2012.
President Christodoulides highlighted the extensive responsibilities Cyprus will undertake, including negotiating over 300 legislative files and hosting over 250 meetings, such as informal Ministerial Councils and high-level gatherings. He reiterated that this presidency is a significant organizational challenge, yet an important chance for Cyprus to assert its role and reliability in the EU.
He referred to the presidency as a national mission, pivotal for Cyprus’s image and influence within the EU. The President asserted that Cyprus stands as a robust member state with a strong economy and a voice in Brussels, underscoring its journey since joining the EU 21 years ago.
Addressing the staff of the Permanent Representation, he commended them as the “heart and soul” of Cyprus’s representation and acknowledged their crucial role in the Cypriot EU Presidency. He also praised Cypriots working in EU institutions, noting their contribution to projecting a positive image of Cyprus in the European landscape.
The event was attended by key figures, including Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna, Labor Minister Yiannis Panayiotou, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis, Cypriot Member of the European Court of Auditors Lefteris Christoforou, and Director of the President’s Press Office, Viktoras Papadopoulos.