Cyprus has announced its main goals for when it leads the European Union. The country will hold the EU's rotating presidency for six months in the first half of 2026. President Nikos Christodoulides presented the plan with the European Parliament President, Roberta Metsola. They said Cyprus wants to make the EU stronger and more independent.
Cyprus is in a complex region, between Europe, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. The country wants to use its position to improve cooperation. A key part of the plan is to host two important EU meetings in April next year. Cyprus also wants to invite Turkish leaders to these meetings, but Turkey will decide if they come.
The President said, "We want an EU that can protect its citizens, its borders, and its values." To do this, Cyprus will focus on important EU topics like money, migration, and defence. At the same time, it will talk more about national issues, like the long-standing Cyprus problem and stopping the illegal trade in cultural objects.
For culture, Cyprus proposed a big new programme called "Agora EU". It will have a budget of €8.5 billion. The goal is to bring Europeans together through culture and fight the illegal art trade.
The European Parliament expects a good presidency. President Metsola said, "The EU is counting on the Cypriot Presidency." This period will put Cyprus at the centre of EU decisions. It is a chance to talk about issues from online safety for children to housing costs. Cyprus will need to balance EU priorities with its own regional situation, which may change its relationship with Turkey.