High level leaders gather in Nicosia as Cyprus launches EU Council Presidency
A pivotal round of diplomatic meetings unfolds in Nicosia as Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides hosts Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ahead of the official launch of Cyprus’s EU Council Presidency. The gathering takes place at the Presidential Palace, setting the stage for extensive consultations tied to the responsibilities of the six month mandate.
A bilateral meeting between Christodoulides and Costa is scheduled to focus on coordinating the European agenda for the coming months, with discussions expected to address strategic autonomy, security challenges and efforts to strengthen EU resilience. Another bilateral session will bring Christodoulides together with Zelensky at a time when European backing for Ukraine remains crucial, centering on peace initiatives, adherence to international law and core EU principles.
Additional talks will involve Lebanon President Joseph Aoun, with the two leaders set to examine regional stability and prospects for deeper cooperation between the EU and its Southern Neighbourhood. A separate meeting will see Christodoulides receiving Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum, who represents the Egyptian President at the ceremony marking the start of the presidency.
The evening will feature the formal inauguration ceremony, followed by an official dinner hosted by Christodoulides for the heads of delegations. Further exchanges are anticipated with Moldova President Maia Sandu and Iraq President Abdul Latif Rashid during the event.
Cyprus outlines priorities for the six month EU term
The visit of Costa and von der Leyen forms part of the European Council President’s broader regional tour, with Nicosia serving as a key stop ahead of planned engagements in the Middle East. Cyprus has already highlighted its commitment to advancing Moldova’s EU trajectory, presenting this objective as a central pillar of its presidency programme for the semester.
