A reception marking the conclusion of Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union was held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Met in New York, with welcome remarks by Max Hollein Director and CEO of the Met, and Ambassador Maria Michail, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Cyprus to the United Nations.
The event included a guided tour of the Greek and Roman Galleries, where exhibits from Cyprus are displayed, highlighting the cultural dimension of Cyprus’ European role and its long-standing historical presence at the Met.
In his remarks, Max Hollein described the evening as “a celebration on two fronts,” noting that it was meant both “to honour Cyprus’ leadership within the European Union” and “to reaffirm the Met’s deep and enduring commitment” to its collection of ancient art from Cyprus. He underlined that the Met is “proud to hold the largest collection of ancient Cypriot art outside of Cyprus itself,” adding that, for 150 years, the Museum has worked “to preserve, research, publish and share this irreplaceable art with communities in New York and around the world".
Hollein said “Cypriot art was at the very beginning the cornerstone, the nucleus of what you see here at this museum.” Referring to the ongoing renovation of the galleries, he said the project would “completely reinstall and reimagine” the galleries of ancient art from Cyprus, stressing that “this will not only be a refresh, it will be a transformation.” He added that the new presentation would focus on themes including “cultural connection, exchange,” “gods and sanctuaries,” and “identity and representation,” while also “deepening our relationship with Cyprus".
He further highlighted the cooperation between the Met and Cyprus, noting that “direct scholarship” and “exchange” with colleagues from Cyprus “not only informs our work on the new galleries, it will create new opportunities.” Looking ahead, he said the Museum wanted to welcome guests back “to see these new galleries come to life,” and to make them “a place for the Cypriot community to come together".
In her remarks, Ambassador Maria Michail stressed that Cyprus “occupies a unique place in the history” of the Met, recalling that the collection of Cypriot antiquities was among the Museum’s “defining collections” and helped establish “one of the richest collections of ancient Cypriot art anywhere outside Cyprus.” She described Cyprus as “an island at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa,” calling it “a meeting place of cultures, religions, and people".
Ambassador Michail placed culture at the center of Cyprus’ international identity, stating that “culture is not simply part of our history” but “one of the pillars of our foreign policy.” She said culture remains “one of humanity’s greatest forces for dialogue, mutual understanding, and peaceful coexistence,” and noted that Cyprus has worked “to place culture higher on the international agenda,” including through its role in the United Nations Group of Friends on the Protection of Cultural Heritage and the United Nations Group of Friends on Culture.
Turning to Cyprus’ EU Presidency, she said Cyprus assumed the role “with humility and determination,” understanding that it was “not simply a national responsibility” but “European responsibility.” She identified five priorities: “strengthening defense and security, enhancing competitiveness, advancing enlargement, promoting citizens’ rights, and shaping the European Union’s long-term budget.” She said the Presidency’s motto reflected the ambition of “an autonomous Union open to the world,” adding that “a Europe that is stronger internally is also better equipped to engage internationally, build partnerships, defend international law, promote peace, and support effective multilateralism".
Ambassador Michail said Cyprus worked “as another honest broker,” building consensus among the 27 member states and advancing “an ambitious European agenda.” She pointed to progress in “Europe’s security and defense,” the “energy union,” “Europe’s competitiveness,” enlargement-related files, and issues affecting citizens’ daily lives, “from health, education, and air passenger rights, to culture and the coordination of cultural institutions".
She also underlined Cyprus’ commitment to the multilateral system, saying that during the Presidency, Cyprus reinforced the EU’s engagement “with the multilateral system” and remained “firmly committed to the principles of the United Nations Charter” and “international law.” In New York, she said Cyprus represented the European Union in “approximately 16 United Nations meetings” and high-level processes covering issues “from international peace and security, disarmament and humanitarian affairs to sustainable development, migration, oceans, taxation, forests, climate innovation, youth, population issues, and international law".
The reception was attended, among others, by the Consul General of Cyprus in New York, Kyriakos Pogiatzis, the Consul General of Greece in New York, Ambassador Ifigeneia Kanara, ambassadors of European countries, including France, Slovenia and Latvia, members of diplomatic missions as well as representatives of the diaspora.
