Edited by Anna Popper
On 1 January 2026, Cyprus assumed the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the second time, succeeding Denmark and taking on the lead role for the next six months, until 30 June 2026.
Under the motto “An Autonomous Union, Open to the World”, Cyprus begins its Presidency at a pivotal moment for Europe, shaped by geopolitical uncertainty, regional instability, and the urgent need to strengthen unity and resilience across the EU. As António Costa, President of the European Council, noted, the motto could not be more timely, and Cyprus brings a unique perspective to this task.
Priorities of Cyprus Presidency
The Cypriot Presidency program is structured around five interconnected pillars of autonomy, reflecting Cyprus’s vision of a stronger, more resilient, and more independent Europe that remains globally open and engaged. Cyprus has also placed social cohesion, inclusion, and fundamental rights at the heart of its programme. In parallel, Cyprus signals its continued commitment to the cross-cutting priorities within EU policymaking.
Opening Ceremony with Artistic Performances in Nicosia
Cyprus officially inaugurated its Presidency on 7 January 2026 in Nicosia, the last divided capital of the European Union. The ceremony brought together high-level guests, including European Council President António Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Moldovan President Maia Sandu, and leaders from the wider region – marking a strong and symbolic start to the Cypriot term.
Concluding his opening address, Nikos Christodoulides, President of the Republic of Cyprus, stated: “The future of each and every one of us intrinsically depends on the strength and cohesion of the EU. The more united, trustworthy and outward-looking our Union is, the more security, stability, development and potential it will be able to offer, not only to all of its citizens, but also to its neighbours and partners. As the Cyprus Presidency, this is our goal and our ambition: Greater European integration and more Europe through ‘An Autonomous Union – Open to the World’.”
The audience was invited on a cultural journey where past, present, and future came together in harmony. The opening event, titled “MEMORY – PRESENT – META”, took place on the Cyprus Theatre Organisation’s Main Stage and featured over 100 artists performing the spirit of Cyprus in three acts.
Launch of Cyprus EU Council Presidency in Budapest
The Cyprus Presidency was also launched in Hungary with an official event, held at the House of the European Union in Budapest on 21 January 2026, organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus.
H.E. Mr Homer Mavrommatis, Ambassador of Cyprus to Hungary, opened the event and, in his speech, highlighted the importance of the Cypriot Presidency and the geopolitical significance of this moment for Europe:
“Dear Colleagues and Friends, thank you for attending the kick-off reception of the Cyprus Presidency 2026. This is our second Presidency since our accession to the EU in 2004, together with Hungary and eight other countries. Our Presidency is the last of the trio Poland, Denmark, and Cyprus, and comes at an important geopolitical juncture.
On 20 January, Nikos Christodoulides, President of the Republic of Cyprus, presented the priorities of our Presidency at the European Parliament, stating: ‘Our Presidency has begun at an inflection point for the Union – a moment of profound transformation. Europe is confronted with a rapidly changing geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape characterised by unpredictability. The international order we relied upon for decades is no longer a given. War has returned to our continent with Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine. Instability persists in Cyprus’s immediate region and the wider Middle East. This sets the scene of our Presidency.’
First, my thanks to our colleague Christian Thorning, Ambassador of Denmark to Hungary, for the excellent Danish Presidency. With the end of our Presidency trio of Poland, Denmark, and Cyprus, we will pass the baton to our colleagues of Ireland, Lithuania, and Greece.
The visual identity of the Cyprus Presidency draws inspiration from one of the island’s most distinctive cultural symbols: the embroidery of Lefkara. Built around the idea of thread, it symbolises unity, resilience, and cooperation within the EU. The 27 elements represent the Member States coming together as one, while the sun-inspired design and warm colours reflect Cyprus’s heritage and commitment to a strong, united Europe.
‘An Autonomous Union. Open to the World.’ – captures a balanced and forward-looking vision. Autonomy is the necessary next step in the evolving European integration project. It runs horizontally across all five Presidency priorities, from security and defence, to energy and trade, competitiveness alongside the green transition, and digital innovation with social cohesion.
Independence requires an outward-looking approach – strength through partnership, resilience, credibility, and strategic choice. The Cyprus Presidency will act as a responsible and honest broker, in full respect of institutional propriety and in close cooperation with the European Parliament and the European Commission. Our objective is to transform challenges into opportunities and ensure that ambition is matched by tangible results.
The five pillars of the Cyprus Presidency are: Autonomy through Security, Defence Readiness, and Preparedness, Autonomy through Competitiveness, A Union Open to the World, An Autonomous Union of Values That Leaves No One Behind and A Long-term Budget for an Autonomous Union.
In the first month alone, we have already hosted the visit of Commission Members to Cyprus on 15–16 January 2026.
Today, the Informal Justice and Home Affairs Council begins in Cyprus. Furthermore, in Brussels, our official opening ceremony is taking place.
During the Presidency, Cyprus will host 13 summits, 19 informal ministerial meetings, 52 formal ministerial meetings, and more than 260 additional gatherings. Over 30,000 visitors from Europe – delegates, staff, and press – are expected to attend these events.
Enlargement remains a strategic goal of the Union, and I thank our colleagues from the candidate countries for attending this reception. I would like to thank the European Commission for hosting us today, as well as my staff for their dedication during these demanding times for our small Embassy.”
A Reception Celebrating Cyprus and Europe
The official programme concluded with a musical interlude by Cypriot artists Katerina Paschalis and Dimitris Dekavala, who performed traditional songs from Cyprus.
Guests were then invited to a reception in the spirit of Cypriot hospitality, featuring traditional flavours and wines, including the famous Commandaria.
A photo exhibition highlighting Cyprus’s culture, history, traditions, and landscapes was displayed along the venue walls, offering participants a visual journey through the island. Titled: “Cyprus: Living Heritage – Κύπρος – Ζώσα Παράδοση”, the exhibition showcased the country’s living traditions and cultural identity through photography.
Source: Embassy of Cyprus in Budapest
Photos: Embassy of Cyprus in Budapest; cyprus-presidency-consilium.europa.eu; europa.eu; DPA
