Cyprus Presidency of the EU: Priorities Outlined

The President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, outlined the three main priorities of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU during a meeting with a delegation from the European Committee of the Regions, led by President Kata Tüttö, in Nicosia.

The first priority is to bring European citizens closer to the European Union, given that public support for the EU in Cyprus exceeds 70%. The second priority is to strengthen European autonomy, not only in the area of defense and security but also in competitiveness and cohesion. The third priority concerns deepening the EU's relations with the wider Middle East, due to Cyprus' geographical proximity.

President Christodoulides also referred to the challenge of housing and expressed his expectation for close cooperation with the Committee of the Regions during the Cypriot Presidency. The President of the European Committee of the Regions emphasized the role of local and regional authorities in bringing Europe closer to citizens.

The Bureau of the European Committee of the Regions will hold its 238th meeting in Nicosia on February 9-10, 2026, where it will discuss strengthening the preparedness and resilience of cities and regions through digital innovation and blue technologies.