Cyprus assumes the EU presidency with autonomy, defense and migration management as priorities
Cyprus assumes, as of 1 January and for the first half of 2026, the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. Among its priorities are the strategic autonomy of the Union, both in security and defence and in the economy, as well as migration. The six-month term will also be shaped by the war in Ukraine and negotiations for a ceasefire, instability in the Middle East, and transatlantic relations.
The motto of the six-month presidency will be “An autonomous Union. Open to the world.” “The Cypriot presidency will work with determination to give new momentum to the European project and to contribute substantially to the next step on our common path,” said Nikos Christodoulides, President of the country.
Cyprus takes over this role from Denmark and will be followed by Ireland. The country joined the EU in 2004 and previously held the rotating presidency in 2012. During its mandate, the Mediterranean country will chair numerous meetings and conferences in Brussels and Luxembourg, as well as an international meeting in Cameroon. 260 of these meetings will take place in Cyprus, including 27 high-level meetings and 19 informal ministerial councils.
The Presidency of the Council of the European Union rotates every six months among the Member States. Each country assumes the role according to a predefined rotation system, meaning that each of the 27 Member States takes a turn approximately every three and a half years. The task consists of chairing meetings of the Council and ensuring continuity in its work and in the legislative processes stemming from this body. The presidency also represents the Council in relations with the other EU institutions.
“Autonomy” in defence and security
When presenting the presidency at the end of December, the Cypriot government summarised its priorities in five points:
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Autonomy through security and defence preparedness
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Autonomy through competitiveness
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Openness to the world
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A Union of values that leaves no one behind
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A long-term budget for the EU
Cyprus advocates an EU that is “firmly anchored in multilateralism and fully committed to the United Nations Charter and international law, including the law of the sea.”
The rotating presidency will promote the swift implementation of the White Paper on European Defence / Readiness 2030 and its accompanying Roadmap, as well as the EU Preparedness Strategy. At the same time, Cyprus aims to strengthen transatlantic relations and deepen cooperation between the EU and NATO.
This includes safeguarding maritime security and freedom of navigation, economic security, security of access to water, and protecting democracies from foreign interference, disinformation, hate speech and hybrid threats.
All of this must be compatible with an EU that is “open to the world.” Cyprus particularly seeks to promote relations with the Southern Neighbourhood and with the countries of the Persian Gulf, which make up the country’s immediate surroundings.
Greater competitiveness
This focus on “autonomy” leads the Cypriot presidency to place strong emphasis on the competitiveness of the EU economy.
To this end, it proposes reducing bureaucracy to benefit small and medium-sized enterprises, promoting the Savings and Investment Union, and strengthening digital and energy autonomy. In particular, it will seek to achieve affordable and predictable energy prices and to advance the European Electricity Grids Package.
Cyprus will also lead negotiations on the EU budget for 2028–2034, with the aim of reaching an agreement on a new multiannual financial framework before the end of 2026.
The first major economic and international milestone of the rotating presidency will be the signing of the agreement with Mercosur, which was postponed at the last European Council meeting in December.
The EU has committed to signing the Mercosur agreement in January, opening the door to seeking additional markets.
As part of its objective of a “Union of values that leaves no one behind,” Cyprus intends to make policies for affordable housing a priority, through the European Plan announced in mid-December.
It will also focus on children and young people, in particular on protecting minors online.
Entry into force of the Migration Pact
Immigration and asylum policies will be another priority for a country located on migration routes from the Middle East. The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, which tightens conditions for entry and residence, was approved in 2024 but will fully enter into force on 12 June 2026.
The Cypriot presidency aims to “promote an integrated and effective approach to both the internal and external dimensions of migration, addressing its root causes and strengthening cooperation with countries of origin.”
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has issued several recommendations to the Cypriot presidency. These include ensuring safe migration pathways and “effective policies” that save lives, reduce irregular migration and prevent the exploitation of migrants by smuggling networks; ensuring that return systems respect human rights and facilitate reintegration in countries of origin; and ensuring that all policies are based on evidence-based data analysis.
A divided island
Cyprus is a divided territory. Inhabited by Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-origin populations, the joint administration of the two communities collapsed in 1963, followed by civil unrest and a decade of instability.
In 1974, the military regime then governing Greece attempted a coup to annex the country. Turkey invaded the northern part of the island in 1974, and since then Cyprus has been divided into two entities: the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the latter recognised only by Turkey and occupying around one third of the territory. The separation line, monitored by UN forces, divides the capital, Nicosia, into two.
Because of this situation, the Cypriot presidency could lead to tensions with Turkey.