With the Republic of Cyprus poised to assume the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union from 1 January to 30 June 2026, preparations at both organisational and infrastructural levels are near completion across government and public services.
Cyprus will take over the presidency from Denmark at the start of 2026, inheriting an agenda shaped by ongoing geopolitical, economic and institutional pressures. According to officials, the Cypriot presidency is expected to prioritise EU enlargement and neighbourhood policy, with particular emphasis on the Eastern Mediterranean, migration and asylum management, economic competitiveness and social cohesion, and the green and digital transitions, while also steering discussions on EU strategic autonomy and institutional continuity ahead of the next EU political cycle.
In recent days, teams have been finalising the renovation and preparation of key premises that will host Presidency-related events, working closely with the Department of Public Works and the Electrical and Mechanical Services. According to estimates, the comprehensive project, including structural upgrades, systems fit-outs and technical enhancements, is valued at approximately 25 million euros. These efforts aim to ensure that official spaces meet the requirements for high-level meetings, press briefings and international delegations.
Parallel to physical upgrades, the Presidency’s dedicated official website is scheduled to go live on 21 December 2025. The launch will coincide with the public reveal of the Presidency logo at Lefkara, a choice of location that subtly points to the possible influence of local heritage and symbolism on the visual identity of Cyprus’s EU Council presidency. The website will serve as a central information hub for Presidency priorities, programmes, schedules and resources for media and stakeholders.
During the media conference ahead of the Presidency on Friday, officials outlined the programme of Cyprus’s EU Council presidency which includes one informal meeting of heads of state and government, 19 informal ministerial councils, two ministerial conferences, one informal international ministerial conference, and two meetings of institutional bodies, namely the European Commission’s College of Commissioners and the Conference of EU Presidents, in addition to the official commencement ceremony.
In total, events will be spread across the island, with Nicosia hosting 119 events, Limassol with 40, Famagusta district with 35, Paphos with 34, and Larnaca with 33, underlining the presidency’s emphasis on nationwide participation.
Attention now turns to the official commencement ceremony on 7 January 2026, to be held at the Theatrical Organization of Cyprus (THOK) premises in Nicosia. The event will bring together government officials, diplomatic representatives and international delegations.
Among the first high-profile Presidency events will be a major gathering at Limassol Port, where the EU College of Commissioners is expected to participate. This event underscores Cyprus’s intention to host significant engagements beyond the capital, reflecting the Presidency’s nationwide footprint and its commitment to representation.
