Nicosia, Cyprus – As the Republic of Cyprus gears up to assume the mantle of the European Union's rotating presidency, President Nikos Christodoulides has articulated a robust foreign policy agenda that intertwines the nation's long-standing aspiration for reunification with a broader vision of regional stability and enhanced international standing. Simultaneously, Cyprus is actively bolstering its strategic partnerships, notably through recent high-level engagements in Jerusalem, underscoring its evolving role in the Eastern Mediterranean.
President Christodoulides has placed the reunification of Cyprus at the forefront of his administration's foreign policy objectives, expressing a firm commitment to pursuing this goal with renewed vigour. This domestic imperative is intrinsically linked to Cyprus's ambition to solidify its position on the international stage, serving not merely as an EU member state but as a crucial pillar of security and a facilitator of cooperation within the wider Middle East region. The government's strategy hinges on a proactive, outward-looking, and multi-faceted approach, aiming to leverage Cyprus's unique geopolitical location to foster stability and act as a vital conduit for humanitarian assistance.
These pronouncements coincide with Cyprus's imminent assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, a significant undertaking that will see the island nation lead discussions and coordinate policy across the bloc for a six-month tenure. Preparations for this crucial role are well underway, with President Christodoulides outlining a comprehensive agenda focused on strengthening the EU's strategic autonomy, bridging the gap between the Union and its neighbouring regions, and directly addressing the concerns of European citizens. The presidency's priorities are expected to encompass five interconnected pillars: bolstering security, defence, and preparedness; enhancing competitiveness; fostering an open and engaged EU on the global stage; championing European values; and ensuring a supportive budgetary framework. Key areas of focus will likely include security and defence initiatives, economic resilience, energy security, migration management, digital sovereignty, regional connectivity, and the transition towards sustainable emissions.
In a clear demonstration of its proactive foreign policy, President Christodoulides recently participated in the 10th Trilateral Summit of Cyprus, Greece, and Israel in Jerusalem. This summit served as a platform to deepen bilateral relations across critical sectors such as energy, defence, innovation, and tourism, while also reinforcing the strategic importance of the Eastern Mediterranean. The leaders discussed fostering conditions conducive to security and cooperation in the region and explored the potential for strengthening the "3+1" format, which includes the United States, further integrating regional security dialogues.
Furthermore, the summit provided an opportunity to reaffirm Cyprus's commitment to advancing its energy strategy. The government, in conjunction with the Greek Prime Minister, has pledged to modernise the feasibility study for the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection (GSI) project. This initiative is seen as a cornerstone of Cyprus's energy future and is attracting considerable international interest, signalling the island's growing significance in regional energy infrastructure development.
The upcoming EU presidency, with its extensive schedule of over 260 meetings hosted in Cyprus and more than 1,500 in Brussels, will undoubtedly place Cyprus at the centre of European decision-making. The influx of an estimated 30,000 visitors underscores the scale of this responsibility. As Cyprus navigates this pivotal period, its commitment to being a reliable partner, a hub of stability, and a proactive player in both regional and European affairs appears to be firmly established, aiming to enhance its national power and influence both domestically and on the international stage.