President Nikos Christodoulides will travel to Brussels on Thursday to participate in the European Council meeting, the last to be held during Cyprus' Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
According to an official statement, the President's participation carries particular institutional and political significance, marking the conclusion of a Presidency that the Republic of Cyprus says it exercised with "seriousness, credibility and a clear strategic focus", achieving progress on key legislative dossiers and delivering tangible results for the European Union and its citizens.
Bilateral meetings
As part of the summit proceedings, President Christodoulides will review the work carried out during the Cypriot Presidency and will later hold a joint press conference with the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission.
On Thursday afternoon, the President is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with European Council President António Costa. He will then attend and deliver remarks at the opening of the "Cyprus Insula" exhibition, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation.
The President will also participate in a meeting of the European People's Party, which will focus on preparations for the European Council discussions.
Before the formal opening of the European Council, President Christodoulides will attend the signing ceremony of a Joint Declaration by the Council, the European Parliament and the European Commission entitled "Europe for Culture, Culture for Europe", alongside the Presidents of the European Parliament and the European Commission.
Ukraine on the agenda
He will subsequently join the two leaders in reviewing progress on the EU's legislative priorities for 2026, as well as the implementation of the "One Europe, One Market" roadmap, which was signed in Cyprus in April.
At the start of the European Council meeting, and during an exchange of views with the President of the European Parliament, President Christodoulides will present an overview of the work undertaken during the Cypriot Presidency. He is expected to highlight progress achieved across a range of European priorities and the practical results delivered through Cyprus' stewardship of the Council.
The President will then take part in discussions on Ukraine before attending a working dinner of EU leaders focused on competitiveness.
Migration and Middle East
On Friday, 19 June, President Christodoulides will attend a meeting of like-minded leaders on migration before returning to the European Council sessions. During those discussions, he will present the progress achieved under the Cypriot Presidency in relation to the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework.
He will later join a working lunch of European leaders to discuss developments in the Middle East. The European Council agenda will also include defence, efforts to combat drug trafficking, migration and other issues of common European interest.
Before departing Brussels on Friday, President Christodoulides will hold a joint press conference with the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission.
The President will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, Government Spokesperson Constantinos Letymbiotis, Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna, Director of the President's Press Office Victor Papadopoulos, Deputy Director of the President's Diplomatic Office Nektarios Sotiriou and other officials.
Source: CNA
