Nicosia: Cyprus Republic is set to host a summit involving EU member states and regional leaders, with a particular emphasis on including Turkey, announced President Nikos Christodoulides. He expressed Cyprus’ readiness to welcome leaders from the EU and neighboring regions during Cyprus’ EU Presidency in the first half of 2026.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the President disclosed his plans during an interview on the Rest is Politics UK podcast before heading to the European Council in Brussels. He mentioned that the summit is scheduled for April 23 and aims to facilitate substantial discussions rather than merely issuing a declaration. Invitations will be extended to countries in the Gulf, India, Jordan, Egypt, and notably Turkey.
President Christodoulides emphasized the shift in Cyprus’ approach towards Turkey, advocating for meaningful progress in Euro-Turkish relations. He highlighted the importance of having Turkey as a neighbor aligned with the EU rather than pursuing different paths. He stressed the necessity for the EU to address regional issues such as Ukraine and the Middle East to solidify its geopolitical influence.
The President further elaborated on the EU’s dependency on external powers for security, energy, and raw materials, questioning the EU’s ability to assert a strong geopolitical role under these circumstances. He reiterated the need for the EU to engage more actively in the region, a goal the Cyprus Presidency intends to pursue.
Cyprus, an EU member since 2004, last held the rotating EU presidency in 2012. The island has a complex history with Turkey, following the 1974 invasion and subsequent occupation of its northern third. Despite numerous UN-led peace talks, a resolution remains elusive.