President outlines Cyprus EU Presidency priorities to EU Ambassadors

President Nikos Christodoulides has referred to the preparation and priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2026 during a luncheon hosted by the Ambassador of Poland to the Ambassadors of the EU member states in Nicosia, on the occasion of the upcoming conclusion of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU.

According to a press release by the Presidency, in his speech at the 4 June luncheon, the President of the Republic, congratulated Poland on its successful EU Presidency, and referred to the issues on the agenda of the upcoming European Council on 26 June, in Brussels, which he had recently discussed with the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa.

Referring to the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, President Christodoulides noted that both himself and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Constantinos Kombos and the Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna are carrying out a series of visits to EU member states and beyond, with the aim of informing and exchanging views on the priorities of the Cyprus EU Presidency.

He added that one of the most important priorities will be to strengthen the EU’s relations with the states of the wider Middle East, as well as to continue providing support to Ukraine at all levels, maritime security and support for humanitarian operations, such as Amalthea and Estia.

He also pointed out that another priority is to achieve progress on the Multiannual Financial Framework.

In addition, President Christodoulides referred to the goal of full membership in the Schengen area in 2026, saying that technical assessments are going well.

Referring to the Cyprus issue, the President of the Republic welcomed the appointment of the EU Special Envoy, Johannes Hahn, describing him as an experienced politician with a significant background in EU-Turkish relations. 

According to the presidency, President Christodoulides also informed the Ambassadors of the EU Member States about the two recent meetings he had with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Cyprus issue, Maria Angela Holguin, and expressed his readiness to resume the talks on the basis of the agreed framework and from the point where they had been interrupted. He underlined his determination to participate in good faith, as he always does, in the enlarged conference on Cyprus that will take place in July.

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 due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

UN Secretary General announced that an informal meeting on Cyprus in a broader format will be held at the end of July, following a similar meeting in Geneva, on 17-18 March. The two sides agreed to proceed with a number of initiatives, involving the opening of crossing points, the creation of a Technical Committee on Youth and other initiatives in the buffer zone and throughout the island.

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced in early May the appointment of María Angela Holguín Cuéllar of Colombia as his Personal Envoy on Cyprus, who is tasked to reengage with the parties in order to work on next steps on the Cyprus issue and advise him. Holguín completed a previous assignment as Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General on Cyprus from January to July 2024.

The European Commission designated Johannes Hahn, a former European Commissioner, as Special Envoy for Cyprus to contribute to the settlement process, in close cooperation with Holguín.

(Source: CNA)