Brussels: President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, departs on Thursday morning for Brussels, where he will participate in the deliberations of the European Council, the last one taking place during the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the President's presence at the European Council holds particular institutional and political significance, marking the completion of a Presidency that the Republic of Cyprus exercised with seriousness, credibility, and clear strategic targeting. The Presidency brought significant progress on critical files and recorded specific deliverables for the benefit of the European Union and its citizens.
During the proceedings, President Christodoulides will review the work of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU and will hold a joint press conference with the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission. On Thursday at noon, the President will hold a bilateral meeting with the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa. He will also attend and address the opening of the exhibition 'Cyprus Insula', organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation.
The President will participate in the European People's Party Summit, focusing on the preparation of the European Council. Before the start of the European Council, he will take part in the signing ceremony of the Joint Declaration of the Council, the European Parliament, and the European Commission, entitled "Europe for Culture, Culture for Europe", alongside the Presidents of the European Parliament and the European Commission. They will review progress on legislative priorities for 2026, as well as the "One Europe, One Market" Roadmap, which was signed in April in Cyprus.
At the start of the European Council, in the context of the exchange of views with the President of the European Parliament, President Christodoulides will present the results of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, highlighting the progress achieved on a number of European priorities and the tangible results recorded through the consistent and effective exercise of the Presidency.
Later, the President will participate in discussions on Ukraine and attend a working dinner of EU member state leaders, focusing on Competitiveness. On Friday, he will attend a meeting of leaders sharing similar views on Migration and participate in the proceedings of the European Council, presenting the progress achieved during the Cyprus Presidency in relation to the Multiannual Financial Framework.
President Christodoulides will then attend a working lunch for leaders, focusing on the situation in the Middle East. The European Council will also address issues on Defence, the fight against drug trafficking, migration, and other issues of common European interest. Before departing Brussels on Friday, the President will hold a joint press conference with the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission.