The big day of the official opening ceremony of the Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council has arrived, with the eyes of Europe- and beyond- focused on the country, which, after thirteen years and six months, is assuming the Presidency of the European Union for the second time.
As of this morning, high-ranking officials, including the President of the European Council, António Costa, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are just some of the foreign leaders who will be at the opening ceremony, which will be held at the THOC premises in Nicosia in the afternoon of Wednesday, 7 January.
The President of the Republic will have a series of meetings before the ceremony, including a joint meeting with António Costa, Ursula Von der Leyen and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while he will also welcome the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun.
The Police are being especially vigilant while from noon onwards several roads will be closed to facilitate the movement of guests, as well as for greater security. At the same time, a decree has been issued prohibiting the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) in the wider area of the THOC premises and the Filoxenia Conference Center in Aglandjia. It is clarified that the period of the ban is valid throughout the Presidency.
What roads will be closed
The Police have announced that, due to the Opening Ceremony of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, various measures regarding traffic arrangements and prohibitions will be implemented.
More specifically, the parking of vehicles will be prohibited on Dimosthenis Severi Street, Gr. Afxentiou Street, Michael Karaoli Street, Lordou Vyronos Street, Costis Palamas Street, Omirou Street, Anastasiou Leventis Street, Evagorou Street, Diagorou Street and Vasileos Pavlou Street.
Additionally, the Municipality of Nicosia will not allow the parking of private vehicles in the two underground parking lots of the old GSP Stadium throughout the day.
It is emphasised that from 2.30pm, road closures will be in place around the THOC area and accessibility will be fully controlled.
Drivers are urged to comply with the road closures and traffic regulations that will be implemented, as well as with the instructions of the police officers on duty.
Over 400 guests to attend opening ceremony
The opening ceremony of the Cyprus Presidency will be held in the presence of approximately 400 guests with the organisers having prepared a program focused on Cyprus of the past, present, and future.
Speaking on state radio, the Spokesperson for the Cyprus Presidency 2026, Stella Michael, referred, among other things, to the messages that Cyprus wants to send through today's historic day, noting at the same time that the presence of high-ranking guests from the institutions of the European Union is of great importance, as is the coverage of the event, which will be broadcast in several countries.
According to Michael, the opening ceremony of the Cyprus Presidency will begin at 6.30pm. "Speeches will be followed by the artistic part directed by Costas Silvestos and which will present the history of Cyprus through stages, from antiquity to the present, but also with a view to the future, as we want Cyprus to be."
She noted that this part of the ceremony will include the participation of over 100 people from the cultural field, adding, "People from all areas of the arts in Cyprus will participate, in a symbolic, audiovisual journey, which will present something different from what we are used to or have seen...It is an emblematic ceremony to kick off the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union and we hope that what will be presented will be embraced by the world, as it has been embraced by those of us who have already seen the content."
She clarified that this is not a closed ceremony but noted that the venue is, due to the winter weather, is an indoor theater, with a specific number of seats. The guests inside are expected to number around 400 people and from there, in addition to the guests, all the content will be transmitted to Cyprus and Europe.
In relation to the main speakers, she indicated that "the President of the Republic, the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission will be the main speakers and there may also be some other greetings."
Asked if there will be any surprise addresses, she said, "Let's wait for tonight for the greetings that will be given. However, it will be a part of the ceremony, which also has its own messages. It is the official start of the Cyprus Presidency. There will be messages that will be sent by the President of the Republic, who will be the main speaker, but also messages that will be given by the heads of the Institutions, such as Mr. Costa and Ms. Von der Leyen, who will arrive in Cyprus at noon."
At the same time, she noted that there will be 14 foreign delegations at the opening ceremony. There will be representation at the level of European institutions, at the level of regional organisations, at the level of states, and the delegations will be accompanied by media, which will cover the events at the THOC. There is great interest in coverage, but at the same time there is also great interest from the local press."
Michael also pointed out that "as expected, in these cases there is an opportunity for a rich activity at the level of contact networking. This will happen as delegations from abroad will be in Cyprus at the same time and as expected, the presence of the President of Ukraine, attracting the spotlight and attention due to the developments with the country. There will be bilateral meetings of the President of the Republic with the guests, and there will also be a joint meeting with Mr. Costa, Von der Leyen and Mr. Zelenskyy. There will also be the President of Moldova, the President of Lebanon, of Iraq and there will be a representation of the Secretaries General of the Gulf States and the Arab League, while Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE will be represented at a ministerial level."
She also emphasised that "it is an excellent opportunity to cooperate, but also to send the message through the Cyprus Presidency for mutual benefit, in the midst of a period of instability, which affects both the countries of the region, and the EU."
Finally, Stella Michael indicated that "the highlight is the informal meeting of heads of state and government that will take place in April. The aim is for it to have a regional character and it is planned that there will be participation from countries in the region at the level of EU leaders, who will meet in Cyprus for the first time. Holding the meeting on 23 and 24 Aprilwill offer the possibility of having a regional character and will provide an opportunity for dialogue on the issues that concern the countries of the European Union and the countries of the region."
Also read: Nicosia welcomes EU institutions heads, foreign leaders for EU Presidency opening ceremony
(Source: Reporter)
