Cyprus is assuming the Presidency of the Council of the European Union with a profound sense of responsibility, pride and historical awareness, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Wednesday, addressing the official opening ceremony at the Cyprus Theatre Organisation (THOC) in Nicosia.
Speaking before European leaders, heads of state and institutional representatives, the President described the presidency not as a procedural milestone, but as a collective national mission, rooted in European values and shaped by Cyprus’ lived experience of division, resilience and cooperation.
A presidency grounded in responsibility and pride
Welcoming guests to Nicosia, which he described as the last divided capital of Europe, Christodoulides said Cyprus assumes the EU presidency with “joy, pride and responsibility.” He stressed that the role goes beyond institutional duties, reflecting a deep obligation towards Europe, Cypriot citizens, future generations and the future the Union is collectively shaping.
“This is the moment of Cyprus,” he said, underlining that the Republic of Cyprus is fully prepared to lead decisively and responsibly, acting as an honest broker among the 27 member states while strengthening institutional cohesion and advancing initiatives that reinforce European integration.
Europe born from crisis, strengthened by unity
Reflecting on Europe’s history, the President recalled that the Union’s most defining achievements emerged from its darkest moments, referencing the foundations laid by Robert Schuman and Jean Monnet in the aftermath of the Second World War. He described today’s European Union as one of the most significant collective achievements since the Enlightenment: a union built on stability, security, cooperation and shared values.
Christodoulides highlighted that EU membership has profoundly transformed Cyprus, enhancing quality of life, strengthening democratic institutions and amplifying the country’s diplomatic and political voice. He noted that belonging to a family of 27 states and nearly half a billion citizens is particularly vital for a small country living under occupation and striving for security, reunification and peace.
Cyprus’ experience and Europe’s challenges
The President pointed out that EU membership enabled Cyprus to weather major crises, from the financial crisis to the Covid-19 pandemic, stressing that such challenges would have been far harder to overcome outside the Union.
Addressing current geopolitical realities, he reaffirmed Cyprus’ unwavering political, economic and humanitarian support for Ukraine, noting that Cyprus understands “from first-hand experience” what invasion, occupation, refugees and human rights violations mean. He stressed that this support will be reinforced during the Cypriot presidency.
“Strength in unity” as guiding principle
Invoking the ancient Greek phrase “Strength in Unity,” Christodoulides said that only through unity in diversity, shared values and collective action can Europe not only survive but lead on the global stage. He argued that today’s complex challenges make the case for a stronger, more united and more strategically autonomous Europe.
Cyprus, he said, invests deeply in the European project, viewing European unity as essential to its own efforts towards liberation and reunification. He expressed confidence that the current climate of uncertainty presents an opportunity for the EU to become stronger, safer, more united and more strategically independent.
A bridge between Europe and its neighbourhood
Positioned at the crossroads of three continents, Cyprus will continue to act as a reliable bridge between the EU and the wider region, the President said, promoting dialogue, cooperation and mutual understanding. He emphasised that Cyprus aims to be “part of the solution, never part of the problem.”
The core objective of the Cypriot presidency, he added, is to balance strategic autonomy with openness to the world, ensuring that the EU can protect its citizens and interests while remaining a force for peace, stability, development and respect for international law.
A vision for Europe’s future
Concluding his address, Christodoulides said the future of Europe is inseparable from the strength and cohesion of the Union. A more united, credible and outward-looking EU, he said, will deliver greater security, stability, growth and opportunity, not only for its citizens but also for its neighbours and partners.
“This is the Europe we will work for as the Cypriot Presidency,” he said, “on behalf of the 27 member states and 450 million European citizens.”