Nicosia: President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, highlighted the upcoming national mission of assuming the EU Council Presidency in 2026 during his New Year's televised message. He emphasized the achievements anticipated in 2025 in economic and social sectors and reiterated the focus on the solution and reunification of Cyprus as the highest priority. He expressed confidence that Cyprus would continue to progress responsibly and confidently both domestically and internationally.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides underscored the importance of reunification based on United Nations resolutions, convergences achieved, and the principles and values of the European Union. He recalled working towards resuming talks that were halted in 2017 and acknowledged the renewed international community engagement facilitated by Cyprus's efforts. This includes the appointment of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the President of the European Commission's Personal Envoy, alongside strengthening Euro-Turkish relations concerning the Cyprus issue.
The President assured continued efforts, acknowledging challenges but aiming for a functional and sustainable reunification solution. He expressed his commitment to the Cypriot people, including refugees, the enclaved, and relatives of the missing. He conveyed a clear message to Turkish Cypriots and Turkey regarding the political will for reunification.
President Christodoulides also remarked on the EU Council Presidency in 2026 as a point of pride and responsibility. He noted Cyprus's economic growth trajectory, indicating achievements such as full employment, zero inflation, and reduced public debt, which enable investment in social policies and citizens' daily life improvement.
The President highlighted landmark reforms, including the country's Tax Transformation and changes in education, law, and state digitalization. He emphasized the introduction of policies like automatic electoral roll registration and voting rights from age 17, aiming for citizen benefits. The Pension Reform and pension increases are cited as flagship reforms for 2026.
He outlined that governance aligns with social liberalism, balancing social sensitivity with promoting business and economic activity. President Christodoulides reiterated that policy decisions support five key governance priorities: extroverted foreign policy, strong defence and security, a resilient economy, state modernization, and citizen life improvement.
Domestically, he focused on migration challenges, rule of law, and commitment to transparency and corruption fighting. Internationally, he assured Cyprus's role as a security pillar in the Middle East region, highlighting initiatives to enhance Cyprus's international standing.
Cyprus has been divided since Turkey's invasion in 1974, with UN-led peace talks failing to achieve results. The last negotiations in 2017 at Crans-Montana were inconclusive.