Cyprus’ EU presidency aims at an EU that will combine its strategic autonomy with its international extroversion, defending its interests and its people, while at the same time operating as a force of peace, stability and growth, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Wednesday, signalling the official assumption of the rotating presidency of the bloc.
Speaking at the opening ceremony in Nicosia, Christodoulides said Cyprus was at the crossroads of three continents in a region full of challenges and would continue to act as a reliable bridge between the EU and the broader region, promoting dialogue, cooperation and mutual understanding.
“Always as part of the solution and never as part of the problem,” he assured.
Christodoulides said this was the Europe he would be striving for over the next six months, for the bloc of 27 member states and 450 million people.
The more united and extrovert the EU is, the more safety and stability it will be able to offer its people, he added.
Opening the ceremony, Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna said the heart of Europe was beating louder in Nicosia on Wednesday, adding that Cyprus was assuming the presidency with “immense pride and a deep sense of responsibility”.
Raouna said Cyprus embarked on its presidency of the EU Council determined “to act as a bridge between member states, between institutions, between ambition and delivery, and between Europe and its wider region”.
While Cyprus is a small island, it carries a big European soul, at a time when Europe stands at a pivotal moment calling for “unity, resilience, boldness and confidence in our shared future”, she said.
Referring to Cyprus’ geostrategic position, Raouna said the island, located at the crossroads of three continents, has for centuries served as a meeting point of peoples, cultures and ideas, and today acts as a bridge between Europe and the wider region of the Middle East and Gulf, as well as “the EU’s beacon in the Eastern Mediterranean”.
This lived experience, she said, shapes the Cyprus’ presidency, which is based on dialogue and cooperation, mutual respect and building bridges.
Addressing the ceremony, Zelenskiy said he believed it was possible for the Ukrainian war to end during Cyprus’ presidency.
Ukraine deserves, like Cyprus, to be an equal part of the EU, he said and expressed hope that the Cyprus’ presidency will be productive in moving the country forward on this path.
He added that sanctions against Russia should be upgraded and that a new package is being prepared to target Russia’s shadow fleet.
Zelenskiy said he expected a lot from Cyprus’ EU presidency.
“This is a Presidency we all expect a lot from. For Ukraine, this moment is very meaningful – just as it is for Cyprus – a member state that, unfortunately, remains divided, but committed to lasting peace – and is fully equal in Europe,” he said.
“Ukraine also deserves to be an equal part of our common European home. And we hope that your presidency will be productive in moving us forward on this path,” he added.
He expressed hope that during Cyprus’ presidency the implementation of the €90 billion support package for Ukraine would begin.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the reunification of Cyprus remains “an absolute priority” for the European Union, linking the island’s long-standing division with broader European principles that apply “equally to Greenland”.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, von der Leyen said the EU “will do all we can to ensure that the UN-led process succeeds” and expressed hope that 2026 would bring “renewed momentum towards a reunified Cyprus”.
“We meet in a country where the promise of reunification awaits to be fulfilled,” she said and recalled her decision to appoint former Commissioner Johannes Hahn as EU envoy for Cyprus.
She also said that few places in the European Union understand as clearly what it means to live with the consequences of division and, at the same time, to refuse to let division define the future.
“That is why it is so fitting that Cyprus assumes the EU presidency at this moment. The EU itself was born from conflict,” she said.
The EU, she added, is not perfect, but it is a promise that cooperation is stronger than confrontation, that law is stronger than force.
“Principles that apply not only to our European Union, but equally to Greenland,” she said.
Von der Leyen said Cyprus brings to its presidency a unique moral authority.
“As a country at the crossroads of continents, cultures and crises, Cyprus understands the strategic importance of peace and stability in our neighbourhood; the urgency of security in an uncertain world; and the enduring value of international law.”
She described Cyprus as a country that embodies “what is best about Europe”, combining tradition with innovation.
Addressing Christodoulides, she echoed his call for a Europe “united in purpose and grounded in solidarity”.
She referred to their recent visit to the port of Larnaca, highlighting Cyprus’ role in delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, as well as the bravery of Cypriot firefighters.
“And with the creation of a regional firefighting hub, Cyprus will play an even larger role in the years ahead. We see it in your experience as a frontline member state. And we see it clearly in the central priority of your presidency – to build a more secure and more independent Europe,” she said.
Von der Leyen also stressed that Europe’s security begins with Ukraine, reiterating that “Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security”.
“Yesterday’s meeting in Paris was a very significant step in this direction. And we will continue to advance Ukraine’s and Moldova’s path towards our European Union – because a free and prosperous Ukraine and a united and prosperous Moldova belong in the EU,” she said.
President of the EU Council Antonio Costa also addressed the event, echoing support to Ukraine and Greenland, and pointing out the importance of the Cyprus presidency in peace, stability and enlargement.
The heads of state, government and European institutions were welcomed at the Thoc theatre in Nicosia by Christodoulides, and the First Lady, Philippa Karsera, for the opening ceremony of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.
The secretary-general of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and his wife Laila Salah Eldin arrived first. Subsequently, Christodoulides welcomed the president of Lebanon, Joseph Khalil Aoun, and his wife, Nehmat Aoun, and then Iraqi president, Abdul Latif Rashid, and his wife, Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed.
Christodoulides also welcomed the secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jasem Albudaiwi, and Moldovan President Maia Sandu.
The multi-layered artistic performance titled “MEMORY-PRESENT-META” followed, directed by Kostas Silvestros. The performance, which develops in three acts, combines music, dance, theatre, image, poetry and digital technologies, as it narrates the history of Cyprus throughout the centuries, highlighting its culture as an integral part of European civilisation.
Over 100 Cypriot artists and cultural professionals will contribute to the implementation of the multidimensional project: choirs, actors, dancers, musicians, visual and digital artists, as well as a large team of technicians.
The official ceremony in Nicosia was held amid tight security, including snipers positioned since earlier in the day on surrounding buildings.
Following the conclusion of the ceremony, Christodoulides was to host an official dinner for the heads of the official delegations, at the Leventis Gallery.
The official ceremony in Nicosia was held amid tight security, including snipers positioned since earlier in the day on surrounding buildings.
Following the conclusion of the ceremony, Christodoulides will host an official dinner for the heads of the official delegations, at the Leventis Gallery.
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