Speaking at the 4th Brussels Delphi Economic Forum, George Ioannides outlined priorities and preparations for Cyprus’s upcoming EU Council Presidency, stressing a legacy of trust and consensus building.
How Cyprus defines success
Ioannides said procedural wins matter, but the real measure will be credibility. “We want everyone to know that we are honest brokers. We do not have an agenda… we will have our EU hat on, not the Cyprus hat on,” he noted, adding that the goal is results “for our citizens and our businesses.”
He argued the old era of easy cooperation has ended. Cyprus wants the EU to lead in a changing order by pairing values with competitiveness, sovereignty with openness, and regulation with innovation. “Strategic autonomy is no longer a choice, it is a necessity,” he said.
Regional focus
Cyprus will push a stronger EU focus on the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider Middle East, leveraging its location and recent humanitarian initiatives, including the maritime corridor to Gaza. “We want to broaden the vision of the EU towards the southern neighbourhood,” he said.
The presidency will advance green and digital transitions “putting people and businesses first,” including the use of AI to improve healthcare and disaster prevention.
Water scarcity and drought will be a central theme. As a Med 9 member, Cyprus will seek funding and networks to tackle fires, droughts and water infrastructure challenges across south-eastern Europe.
Working with the European Parliament
Ioannides highlighted extensive outreach to MEPs. He expressed confidence that Cyprus’s reputation as a facilitator of consensus and guardian of unity “will bear fruit.” He said Cyprus has “done its homework” and will pursue a results-oriented, consensus-driven presidency that strengthens the Union’s global role.
Source: CNA