How the Cyprus Presidency aims at reshaping Europe’s priorities

At a moment of mounting geopolitical pressure – from Ukraine to migration and energy security – Cyprus has assumed the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union at a particularly sensitive time.

At an event hosted by The Parliament in the European Parliament in Brussels, policymakers and stakeholders examined how Nicosia intends to steer the bloc through six turbulent months, and what success for the Cypriot Presidency will ultimately look like.

Delivering the opening keynote speech, MEP Loucas Fourlas (EPP, Cyprus) set the tone by declaring that a “more autonomous Europe is a clear priority”. Europe, he said, must be able to “protect its citizens, its borders, and its values” across security, energy, the economy and migration. He underlined that coordination between the Presidency, the Parliament and political groups would be decisive to deliver results. “Close cooperation and coordination between the presidency, the European Parliament, and political groups is essential if we want to deliver real results,” he added.

Taking the floor for a fireside chat with The Parliament Editor-in-chief Christopher Alessi, Eva Yiasemidou, Presidency Coordinator at the Permanent Representation of Cyprus to the EU, framed the task. The Presidency begins as the war in Ukraine grinds on, the Middle East remains fragile, and transatlantic reliability is questioned, which, she said, pushed Cyprus to adopt the motto “an autonomous union open to the world.” The idea is strength for partnership: reinforce Europe internally to engage credibly externally. “We live in an era of interconnected crises,” she said. “Everything is political and nothing is business as usual.”

Close cooperation and coordination between the presidency, the European Parliament, and political groups is essential if we want to deliver real results - MEP Loucas Fourlas

On Ukraine, Yiasemidou pointed to two immediate deliverables: operationalising the leaders’ decision for a multi-year 50 billion euros loan package for Ukraine from 2024 to 2027 – substantial support of which will back defence needs – and shepherding the next sanctions package ahead of the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Here, the Presidency’s role is “part facilitator, part pace-setter", working closely with Member States and the European Parliament to keep unity and speed aligned.

Pressed on migration, Yiasemidou emphasised the external dimension of the topic by defending durable arrangements with key origin and transit countries that mix border cooperation with economic opportunity and legal pathways, citing neighboring countries and Cyprus’ geographic position as a sign of experience. Europe needs comprehensive, mutually beneficial partnerships, not “lovely speeches.”

On enlargement policy, Ministerial meetings are planned in Cyprus to deliver measurable progress by maintaining momentum and pace. The Presidency aims at keeping a pragmatic track: while technical work continues on clusters for Ukraine and Moldova for negotiations to accelerate once political blockages clear; the aim is tangible steps in the Western Balkans , as “having Montenegro as the 28th member of the European Union in 2028 is ambitious, but realistic”.

Cyprus also wants to translate new frameworks into action in the EU’s southern neighborhood. As the Commission’s Pact for the Mediterranean, which will step up cooperation and economic ties between the EU and its Southern Mediterranean partners, is moving toward an implementation plan, Nicosia is preparing to host an informal European Council and a partner meeting to identify specific areas of operation, noting that they are “thinking about projects in the area of energy, climate, water and ventilation”.

We live in an era of interconnected crises. Our motto is an autonomous union open to the world - Eva Yiasemidou

Beyond geopolitics, Yiasemidou flagged progress targets across a wide set of packages that affect people and businesses – including defence, chemicals and SME measures – and singled out difficult files that Cyprus would like to close before Ireland takes over the next Presidency, such as the child sexual abuse proposal and the critical medicines file.

Eric Quenet, Deputy Director EU Public Affairs at TotalEnergies, stressed that stakeholders in maritime, shipping, and mobility industries would welcome cooperation with upcoming presidencies on key files such as the renegotiation of ReFuelEU Aviation, which which mandates that fuel suppliers at EU airports progressively increase the share of Sustainable Aviation Fuels. The Presidency cast its approach will be “strike the right balance”, noting “competitiveness and the transition can go together” and that none of them should be undermined.

MEP Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi (EPP, Greece), Chair of the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN), asked about the Air Passenger Rights reform, a “very crucial file”, in relation to which the Parliament pushes to maintain strong consumer protections against Council proposals to raise thresholds for compensation. Yiasemidou said it will test a first-ever conciliation negotiation and called for a tight Council–Parliament cooperation to land a deal. 

Asked by MEP Paulo do Nascimento Cabral (EPP, Portugal), who raised concerns about the multi-annual budget architecture that “dilutes agricultural and fisheries subsidies in national and regional plans”, Yiasemidou acknowledged that many Member States also shared reservations about the Commission’s new setup and highlighted the Council work to rebalance provisions back into Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), stressing that Parliament’s consent is vital and co-legislators must move in lockstep.

As the discussion came to an end, the criteria for the success of Cyprus' action seemed clear: a successful presidency will be judged by its delivery of support for Ukraine, tangible steps on enlargement, workable migration partnerships, and, additionally, visible progress on difficult legislative files. In Yiasemidou’s words, “Europe must be strong enough at home to be truly open to the world” and, above all, ready to show results.

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