President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, referred in his New Year's televised message to the national mission of the EU Council Presidency assumption in 2026, achievements during 2025 in the economic and social sectors, the continued European and Western orientation at the international level as well as the highest priority that of a solution and reunification of Cyprus.
He expressed certainty that "our country will continue to move forward with responsibility and confidence, both domestically and abroad."
Reunification, he stresses, must be based on United Nations resolutions, the convergences achieved, and the principles and values of the European Union and the acquis communautaire.
He recalls that from the moment he took office, he has been working to resume the talks that were interrupted in 2017.
"And I am truly delighted because it was our efforts that led to the effective reactivation of the international community with the appointment of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Trilateral and Multilateral Conferences, the appointment, for the first time, of a Personal Envoy of the President of the European Commission, and the clear and substantive interconnection of Euro-Turkish relations with the Cyprus issue," he underlines.
The President assures that this great effort will continue, without overlooking the difficulties and challenges, with the sole aim of reuniting our homeland through a functional and sustainable solution.
"This is my promise, but also my obligation. And I am fully prepared to take responsibility towards the Cypriot people, our refugees and the enclaved, and the relatives of the missing. Our goal is clear and our political will is strong and unquestionable. This is also my clear message to our Turkish Cypriot compatriots and to Turkey," the President says.
He notes that in a few hours we will welcome 2026, with the flag of the Republic of Cyprus flying proudly at the top of Europe, and with the certainty that our country will continue to move forward with responsibility and confidence, both domestically and abroad.
EU Council Presidency and economy
President Christodoulides says that 2026 begins with a milestone, that of assuming the EU Council Presidency, referring to it as "a moment of pride, a national mission, and a huge responsibility", while expressing confidence in its success.
He adds that 2026 finds our country moving forward with confidence and pride on the path of economic growth, with full employment, zero inflation, a significant reduction in public debt and continuous upgrades from all international rating agencies.
He adds that all this "allows us to pursue targeted social policies, to invest substantially in education, health, housing, the welfare state, and everything that improves the daily life of citizens."
Landmark reforms
The President notes that emblematic reforms have been promoted, such as the country's Tax Transformation, which comes into force on Thursday and restores the balance between social justice and economic competitiveness, as the benefits are returned directly to households, the middle class, families, and businesses.
In his message, the President also refers to the reform of the education evaluation system, the modernisation of the Law and the Audit Offices, the digital transformation of the state, the automatic registration on the electoral roll, the right to vote from the age of 17, and many other policies, always for the benefit of citizens.
"And precisely with the same determination, we will continue in 2026, with the Pension Reform and the substantial increase in pensions being our flagship reform," he notes.
The President reiterates that the governance program is based on social liberalism, "which wants the state to be socially sensitive, to serve the principles of equality and solidarity, and at the same time create a favourable environment for business, investment, and all levers of economic activity and social development."
Clear orientation, pillar of security in the region
The President states that all policy decisions and actions serve the five key priorities of governance, namely an extroverted foreign policy with a clear European and Western orientation, strong defence and security, a resilient and strong economy, the modernization of the state through continuous reforms, transparency, accountability, the fight against corruption, and the improvement of citizens' daily lives.
He notes that an assessment of what has been achieved to date "confirms the consistency of words and deeds in the implementation of what we promised before and after the elections, which also constitute our Social Contract with the Cypriot people."
The President assures that the Government will continue with the same seriousness and responsibility in 2026, strengthening all the country's internal and external factors of power.
Domestically, he refers to addressing the major challenge of migration by strengthening the deterrent power of our country, establishing the rule of law, simplifying and abolishing procedures, faithfully serving our uncompromising commitment to transparency, accountability, and the fight against corruption.
At the international level, he points out that with a clear European and Western orientation, "we will continue to walk the path of responsibility, taking an active role as a pillar of security and stability in the wider Middle East region."
"We will continue with initiatives and actions to upgrade the international standing of the Republic of Cyprus and highlight its added value in addressing regional, European, and international challenges. Always as part of the solution and never as part of the problem," says President Christodoulides.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
(Source: CNA)
