Cyprus is almost ready to lead the Council of the European Union. This important job starts on January 1, 2026. President Nikos Christodoulides said Cyprus is "fully prepared" for this role. For six months, Cyprus will be in charge of important EU meetings. It will help make key decisions for all EU countries. This will make Cyprus more influential in Europe.
The country has made big improvements to its conference center. These upgrades will help host many important meetings. This shows Cyprus is serious about leading the Council. The Council is where ministers from EU countries discuss new laws. A good presidency will help Cyprus connect more with the EU.
President Christodoulides shared his plan for Cyprus's term. He wants a "European autonomy and an 'EU open to the world'". This means the EU should be more independent. It should also work well with other countries. Cyprus has nineteen ideas for actions during its presidency. These ideas will help solve important problems for the EU.
A big part of the presidency will be the EU's budget. This budget plan guides EU spending for seven years. Leading these talks will be a difficult task. Cyprus will also talk about its relationship with Turkey. This is an important topic for the EU.
The Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, has led the preparations. She worked with many government departments. Cyprus wants to work closely with all EU countries. It will also work with the European Commission and Parliament. This teamwork is important for good results.
Cyprus's presidency could help its influence in the EU for many years. How Cyprus handles the budget and Turkey will affect EU policies. The EU will also continue to support Ukraine. President Christodoulides recently visited Kyiv to show this support.