Detail from Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, Photo: Reuters
Cyprus today takes over the six-month presidency of the European Union (EU), during which it will strive for an autonomous union open to the world, while promoting a credible enlargement agenda aimed at achieving concrete, tangible results.
The priorities of the Cypriot presidency will be autonomy through security, defense readiness and preparedness, autonomy through competitiveness, autonomy and openness to the world, an autonomous union of values ​​that leaves no one behind, and a long-term budget for the autonomous union.
In line with the priorities, the motto of the Cypriot presidency “An Autonomous Union. Open to the World” reflects, as stated on the website of the Cypriot EU presidency, a visionary approach that combines internal strength and independence with openness, cooperation and global engagement.
As part of the third priority – An autonomous and globally open Union, it is emphasized that EU enlargement is at the center of this endeavor.
“From Ukraine to Moldova, from the Western Balkans to Turkey, enlargement is the EU’s most powerful geopolitical tool. It is essentially about expanding its vital space of security, stability and opportunity,” it states.
Presenting the priorities, logo and motto of the EU presidency in December, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said that Europe had faced complex crises before, even existential ones, and had to respond by evolving. He added that the new features were the intensity, pluralism and complexity of the challenges.
“Autonomy is the next step in the evolution of the European integration project. We need a Europe without divisions,” the Cypriot president stressed.
Regarding enlargement, Christodoulidis said that an enlarged Union is a stronger and more secure Union and that enlargement is a geostrategic necessity and an investment in the European future.
“Together we must continue to work towards the reunification of Europe. The Cypriot presidency will work diligently to advance enlargement,” the Cypriot president stressed in a message before taking over the presidency.
During its second EU presidency, Cyprus will, as announced, act as a responsible and honest broker and work closely with the European Parliament and the European Commission to turn challenges into opportunities and ensure that ambitions are followed by action and tangible results.
The opening ceremony of the Cypriot EU presidency is planned for January 7th in Nicosia.
The Cyprus presidency will conclude the eighteen-month program of the trio presidency of Poland, Denmark and Cyprus.
At the end of June 2026, Cyprus will hand over the rotating presidency of the Council to Ireland.
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