The Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state since 2004, assumed Thursday its second EU Presidency. For six months, the heart of the Union will beat from its southeasternmost corner. From its last divided, still occupied member state.
The first time Cyprus assumed the rotating Presidency was in 2012 and this was an important milestone for small Cyprus which now stands more mature, with a significant impact on the European and international scene, with a robust economy and regional and international collaborations, promoting, through its motto, strength through union.
Opening ceremony, the history of Cyprus throughout the centuries
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The opening ceremony will take place on January 7th, at THOC Theater in Nicosia, under the title “MEMORY-PRESENT-PAST”.
The ceremony, in addition to the official part, includes a modern artistic act, combining music, dance, theater, images, poetry and digital technologies.
Directed by Costas Silvestros, the performance, which unfolds in three acts, will narrate the history of Cyprus throughout the centuries, highlighting its culture as an integral part of European culture.
Cultural events will take place throughout the six months in Cyprus and 31 other countries.
Deep belief in the vision and integration of EU, President says
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In a message to Cyprus News Agency President Nikos Christodoulides noted that this is a national mission on which we will work with a high sense of responsibility and a deep belief in the European vision and European integration.
‘We are ready to be the voice of the 27 member states. To lead the European Union with honesty, sincerity and credibility, in order to contribute to bridging differences and to further push European integration. The Cyprus Presidency comes at a time of intense geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges, which test the resilience, unity and cohesion of the Union’, the President said.
But he expressed his belief that it is time for more autonomy for Europe, adding that the Presidency will undertake initiatives through five specific and interrelated pillars namely Autonomy through Security, Defence and Preparedness, Autonomy through Competitiveness, A Union Open to the World, An Autonomous Union of Values, for All, and A long-term budget for an Autonomous Union.
The President noted that European autonomy, but also the further deepening of European integration, constitute the natural evolution of the European project.
‘And it is precisely through this reasoning that our Presidency will work with determination to give new impetus to the European project and to contribute substantially to the next step of our common path, for an autonomous Union, open to the world, for a Europe that will be a continent of peace, security, prosperity and cooperation’, he said.
DepMin for European Affairs refers to a moment of pride
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In her statement to the Cyprus News Agency the Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna said that assuming the Presidency is a major political act, which we have approached from the outset not simply as an institutional duty, but as a national mission and a strategic opportunity to contribute substantially to the European construction and to upgrade the role of our country, both within the Union and internationally.
‘We will work as an honest and reliable mediator, representing all Member States equally and seeking consensual solutions. We will lead crucial negotiations in a particularly demanding geopolitical context. Cyprus takes over the Presidency of the Council of the EU at a time of profound and structural change, with the aim of strengthening the EU geopolitically”, she said.
Raouna noted that Cyprus Presidency will build on its vision of ‘an autonomous Union, open to the world’, an autonomy that starts from within, by strengthening the cohesion and resilience of the Union.
She went on to say that we will work to give substantive content to strategic autonomy, leaving our mark as a Presidency with tangible results.
Priorities in depth
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More specifically, the Cyprus Presidency in the field of security and defence will support important initiatives and will promote the rapid implementation of the White Paper on European Defence and the Roadmap for Defence Readiness by 2030.
Among the priorities in this area is also the implementation of the EU Maritime Security Strategy, the effective management of migration, with the Presidency having set as its main priority the full implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum and promoting the strengthening of the return system.
The Cyprus Presidency will also work to strengthen energy security, alternative supply and routes and affordable prices and to strengthen the EU’s strategic capabilities and its role in shaping international developments.
The Presidency is fully committed to advancing the enlargement agenda in a credible manner, to achieve tangible results, with Ukraine as a key priority.
Nicosia will also work to strengthen the rule of law across the EU. It will also focus on affordable housing, promoting the implementation of the relevant European plan. Protecting children and ensuring a safe online environment, through the Commission’s Action Plan against cyberbullying, is also a priority.
On the budget, the Presidency will advance negotiations on all legislative files for the proposed Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034, with the aim of delivering a mature negotiating framework with indicative figures in June.
The Cyprus Presidency is concluding the 18-month Poland-Denmark-Cyprus Trio Presidency of the Council of the EU.
Informal Councils, numerous conferences and meetings
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During its six-month Presidency, the Republic of Cyprus will chair numerous meetings and conferences in Brussels and Luxembourg, as well as in Cameroon.
Around 260 meetings will be held in Cyprus, including 27 high-level meetings such as an informal meeting of heads of state and government in April, and 19 informal ministerial councils.
The events will take place in the refurbished Filoxenia Conference Center but also in other cities of the island giving the guests the opportunity to get acquainted with the culture, history and gastronomy of the island.
The Cyprus Police, the Justice Ministry, the Secretariat and other services and authorities have come up with an operational plan to safeguard the security and safety of all guests and country delegations and of all venues.
All events and useful information about the Cyprus EU Presidency can be found on :
https://cyprus-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/
The logo
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The logo of the Presidency draws inspiration from the intricate beauty of Lefkara embroidery. With this technique, threads are woven together to create shapes and patterns that form a unified, continuous design, symbolising harmony and unity.
The design evokes the radiant Cypriot sun, a source of life, light, energy, renewal and hope, for a shared, sustainable and brighter European future.
The colour palette reinforces this narrative. Warm shades of orange reflect the copper hue of the Cypriot flag and the glow of the sun, symbolising warmth, openness and collaboration. Meanwhile, the deep blue of the EU in the background emphasises Cyprus’ identity as an integral, yet distinct, part of the EU, seamlessly interwoven into the European tapestry.
Numbers and facts
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Cyprus is an EU Member State since 1 May 2004 and it joined the Euro area on January 1st, 2008.
Cyprus is currently in the process of joining the Schengen area.
Despite joining the EU as a de facto divided island, the whole of Cyprus is EU territory. Turkish Cypriots who have, or are eligible for, EU travel documents are EU citizens. EU law is suspended in areas where the Cypriot government (Government of the Republic) does not exercise effective control.
Cyprus elects 6 members in the European Parliament. Cyprus Commissioner is Costas Kadis, responsible for Fisheries and Oceans.
According to the European Commission’s forecasts, Cyprus is expected to have the 3rd highest growth rate in the Eurozone for 2025, following Ireland and Malta.
In relation to the Eurozone and the EU, Cyprus’ growth rate is higher by approximately 2 percentage points in 2025, and 1.4-1.2 percentage points in 2026.
GDP growth is projected to moderate to 2.6% in 2026 and 2.4% in 2027. Headline inflation is projected to decline to 0.9% in 2025, before gradually increasing to 1.9% by 2027, and the unemployment rate is expected to decline further to 4.5% in 2026 and 4.3% in 2027.
Public debt is projected to declineto 51.0% of GDP in 2026 and 45.7% of GDP in 2027.
In 2012, the first time Cyprus held the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU focused on EU’s Maritime Policy (Integrated Maritime Policy – IMP) and negotiating the Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2014-2020. Cyprus organized major conferences, such as the Limassol Conference, to advance these policies and push for the “Limassol Declaration”.
The Presidency highlighted “Filoxenia” (hospitality) as part of its image.