The president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and the heads of the Parliament’s political groups will visit Nicosia on 1 and 2 December ahead of Cyprus assuming the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The delegation will meet President Nikos Christodoulides and members of the cabinet at the Presidential Palace. They will also hold contacts with the speaker of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou, and with leaders or representatives of the parliamentary parties.
Preparing for Cyprus’ EU Council presidency
On 1 January 2026, Cyprus will take over the presidency of the Council of the European Union, assuming a central role in shaping the direction of the bloc. As part of preparations for this six-month term, the upcoming presidency will host the European Parliament’s Conference of Presidents in Nicosia for discussions with government officials and MPs on the priorities of the Cypriot stint in charge.
“Cyprus will take the EU’s helm at a time of rapid developments and rising expectations from our citizens. From cutting red tape for businesses to enlargement and finding solutions to migration challenges, Europe is on alert and Cyprus will be leading this dynamic,” Metsola said ahead of the visit.
“I look forward to working with President Christodoulides and the Cypriot Presidency. This visit is proof of that,” she added.
The Conference of Presidents
By convention, the Conference of Presidents travels to the country preparing to take over the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU. These visits are used to align priorities, hold preparatory talks with national authorities and ensure that Parliament and the incoming presidency move in step on the main files that will dominate the six month term.