President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides paid a visit on Wednesday evening to the newly renovated building of the Permanent Representation of Cyprus to the European Union in Brussels, just 70 days before Cyprus assumes the Presidency of the Council of the EU.
He also described the Cyprus EU Presidency as a golden national opportunity “to once again prove that our footprint is not measured by the square kilometers of our homeland, but by the seriousness, professionalism, dedication, and reliability with which we serve the common European interest”.
«From January 1, 2026, for 181 days, our homeland, Cyprus-the last EU member state still under occupation-will take the helm of the Council of the EU and become the voice of all 27 member states,» the President underlined. He also expressed «the same pride» he had in 2012 when he served as the Spokesperson for the first Cypriot EU Presidency, assuring that this unique and invaluable experience remains with him to this day.
Referring to the impact of the Cypriot EU Presidency, President Christodoulides stressed that «we will negotiate, as honest mediators, over 300 legislative and other files, including the crucial Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). We will chair more than 180 working groups and around 40 Council configurations. Cyprus will also host 19 informal Ministerial Councils and 85 high-level meetings, culminating in the informal European Council in April. Overall, over 250 meetings will be hosted across free Cyprus.»
«The Presidency is undoubtedly a tremendous challenge, a large-scale organizational endeavor with very high demands. Above all, however, it is a golden national opportunity for our country to once again prove that our footprint is not measured by the square kilometers of our homeland, but by the seriousness, professionalism, dedication, and reliability with which we serve the common European interest,» he added.
Describing it as a «national mission that serves the credible presence and promotion of our homeland, the Republic of Cyprus, in the European landscape», President Christodoulides positioned Cyprus as an outward-looking member state at the core of the EU, with a now strong economy and a voice and role in Brussels affairs.
«The building of our Representation is not just a space; it is its people and their stories. It is part of our country’s journey, Cyprus’s journey in the EU. Here, 21 years ago, we had the experience of the accession to the EU-the greatest diplomatic achievement of our country since its founding in 1960. Here, we experienced our first Presidency of the Council of the European Union 14 years ago,» the President said.
«And here, we continue daily, with all of you as protagonists, to prove in practice our role as an effective, reliable, and proud member state of the European Union with a voice and a role.»
Addressing the staff of the Permanent Representation, he described them «the heart and soul of our Representation” and expressed his gratitude for their significant work, both for the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU and as the “most worthy representatives of our country in the EU”.
The President also expressed pride in the role and work of Cypriots in EU institutions: «You are the face of our country in the institutions of the European Union. Every day, through your work and ethos, you project the best image of our country in the institutions.»
The reception was attended among others by 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.