President-Spanish PM discuss Cyprus EU Presidency, Cyprus issue, ties

President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides held a meeting in Madrid with Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, during which he informed him about the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026, with an emphasis on the Mediterranean dimension.

Director of the Press Office of the President, Victoras Papadopoulos, wrote on his account on 'X' that during the Monday, 28 April meeting it was noted that Spain is the first EU member state that the President is visiting, inaugurating his visits in view of the assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the EU by the Republic of Cyprus, in the first half of 2026.

Moreover, the President informed the Spanish Prime Minister about the priority areas of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU during the first half of 2026, focusing on the Mediterranean dimension, and about Cyprus' actions aimed at promoting Mediterranean issues, including migration.

President Christodoulides also informed the Prime Minister about the latest developments in the Cyprus issue in view of a new expanded conference in Geneva that will take place in July. Papadopoulos notes that they discussed how Spain could contribute to efforts to resume the talks, based on the agreed framework and the principles and values of the EU.

During the meeting, they noted the high level of cooperation in bilateral relations  and ways of further deepening and strengthening their ties in areas such as defense and security and the prospect of signing agreements between the two countries in these areas, culture, education, tourism.

The Middle East was also discussed and it was agreed that there should be a more active EU involvement both in the Middle East and in Syria and Lebanon.

Finally, they discussed the latest developments in EU-US relations and the need for strategic autonomy and strengthening of the EU's competitiveness, as well as the cooperation that should exist with the US.

Later on, the President of the Republic met with King Felipe of Spain at the Palace. President Christodoulides is accompanied by Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, Director of the President's Press Office, Victoras Papadopoulos, and officials.

Earlier on 28 April, Raouna had a  meeting with Spanish Deputy Minister responsible for EU Affairs, Fernando Sampedro Marcos.

The President of the Republic is traveling this afternoon to Portugal, for a working visit, during which he will have a meeting with the country's Prime Minister.

(Source: CNA)