EditCyprus sets out EU Presidency vision as ‘honest broker’
The country will push a stronger EU focus on the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider Middle East, leveraging its location and recent humanitarian initiatives
Speaking at the 4th Brussels Delphi Economic Forum, deputy permanent representative George Ioannides outlined priorities and preparations for Cyprus’s upcoming EU Council Presidency, stressing a legacy of trust and consensus building.
Cyprus is set to assume the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the second time (after 2012) from 1 January to 30 June 2026, as the final member of the current trio alongside Poland (January–June 2025) and Denmark (July–December 2025).
How Cyprus defines success
Ioannides said procedural wins matter, but the real measure will be credibility. “We want everyone to know that we are honest brokers. We do not have an agenda… we will have our EU hat on, not the Cyprus hat on,” he noted, adding that the goal is results “for our citizens and our businesses.”
He argued the old era of easy cooperation has ended. Cyprus wants the EU to lead in a changing order by pairing values with competitiveness, sovereignty with openness, and regulation with innovation. “Strategic autonomy is no longer a choice, it is a necessity,” he said.
Regional focus
Cyprus will push a stronger EU focus on the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider Middle East, leveraging its location and recent humanitarian initiatives, including the maritime corridor to Gaza. “We want to broaden the vision of the EU towards the southern neighbourhood,” he said.
The presidency will advance green and digital transitions “putting people and businesses first,” including the use of AI to improve healthcare and disaster prevention.
Water scarcity and drought will be a central theme. As a MED9 member, Cyprus will seek funding and networks to tackle fires, droughts and water infrastructure challenges across south-eastern Europe.
The MED9 is a cooperative group of nine Mediterranean and Southern European Union member states focused on addressing regional challenges including migration, climate, and security. Recently Med9 leaders met in Cyprus and expressed “grave concern” over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, underlining the urgency of securing aid routes – including Cyprus’ Maritime Corridor – to meet the vast needs of the civilian population.
MED9 leaders highlight Cyprus Corridor as lifeline for starving Gaza population
Working with the European Parliament
Ioannides highlighted extensive outreach to MEPs. He expressed confidence that Cyprus’s reputation as a facilitator of consensus and guardian of unity “will bear fruit.” He said Cyprus has “done its homework” and will pursue a results-oriented, consensus-driven presidency that strengthens the Union’s global role.
The full official programme and priorities are expected to be announced shortly before 1 January 2026, per the Secretariat’s website. No motto or logo has been publicly revealed yet. Preparations are in the final stage, treated as a “national mission,” with a dedicated Secretariat under Deputy Minister Marilena Raouna and over 300 new staff positions created.
Key events include 263 meetings (19 informal ministerial councils, 3 ministerial conferences), an Informal European Council in Cyprus on 23–24 April 2026 (potentially with southern neighbours), a ministerial meeting on affordable housing (11–12 May 2026), and one on migration pact implementation.
Caption: Cyprus and EU flags in the European Council building, Brussels
Updated: November 9, 2025 - 07:29
