The logo of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU is inspired by the Lefkari embroidery.
It consists of 27 digits as many as the EU member states, created by graphic designer Marios Kourooufexis.
The event for the presentation of the programme of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union concerning the axes and the logo of the Cyprus Presidency took place in Pano Lefkara.
It was held by the Secretariat of the Cyprus EU Presidency in the presence of the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Christodoulides.
The Cyprus Presidency will work for an “Autonomous Union Open to the World” said on Sunday the President of the Republic, Nicos Christodoulides, during the presentation of the programme and priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, at the Lefkara Conference Centre.
In this context, he noted that the Presidency will be based on five interconnected pillars.
The President described today as a milestone for the present and future of the Republic of Cyprus. “In 10 days we assume an institutional role and responsibility towards Europe, our fellow citizens, our children” for the future, he said, noting that today the heart of Europe beats loudest in Cyprus, the south-easternmost tip of Europe, the last member state of Europe under occupation.
“It is no coincidence that we are in Lefkara today,” he said, noting that it is a place that symbolizes the creativity, tradition and timeless extroversion of our country.
He underlined that Cyprus “is ready to lead. To become for six months the voice of the 27 Member States. To lead, to coordinate, to negotiate as honest brokers, to bridge differences and to push European integration even further. With confidence, with pride.
President Christodoulides noted that the Presidency comes at a time of intense geopolitical challenges, which test the resilience of the EU, its unity and cohesion. The EU “is not afraid of challenges, approaches them as opportunities and is always moving forward. It is not afraid, it adapts, strengthens and moves forward. This is the European way, this is the European way,” he said.
He went on to say that what is needed now, which is the main objective of the Presidency, is an autonomous EU, as a necessary step towards European integration. A Union that is strong from within, capable of protecting its citizens, its borders and its interests. A Union capable of building partnerships and alliances from a position of strength, knowing that the stronger it is, the more valuable it is to its partners. A Union that is outward-looking and open to the world. A Union that, when open to the world, has a meaningful global role and voice. A Union that draws its strength from its stability, its reliability, its predictability, that inspires confidence because it is based on principles and values, international law, dialogue, diplomacy and cooperation.
“This is the Union we will work for as the Cyprus Presidency. For an autonomous Union open to the world. This is the central message and the main objective of the Cyprus Presidency,” he stressed.
He further noted that every policy that the Presidency will promote in the next six months is based on five interconnected pillars: autonomy through security, defence, preparedness, autonomy through competitiveness. The third pillar is a Union open to the world that is autonomous, the fourth is an autonomous Union of values for all and the fifth is a budget that is always needed to support an autonomous EU.
The priorities of the Cyprus Presidency
Based on the above pillars, the President of the Republic outlined the priorities on which the Cyprus Presidency will focus.
In the field of security and defence, the Cyprus Presidency will support major defence initiatives and promote the rapid implementation of the White Paper on European Defence and the Roadmap for Defence Preparedness by 2030.
The President noted that the strengthening of transatlantic relations is a cornerstone of European security and noted that the further promotion of Euro-NATO cooperation will remain an important priority.
He also referred to ensuring freedom of navigation and security in maritime corridors. He noted that the Cyprus Presidency would promote the implementation of the EU Maritime Safety Strategy.
He also referred to economic security, but also to water resilience, noting that it is a strategic priority that the Cyprus Presidency will promote.
President Christodoulides also referred to the effective management of migration as a central security issue. “The Cyprus Presidency will promote as a key priority the full implementation of the Pact on Immigration and Asylum and will promote the strengthening of the return system and deepen cooperation with key third countries, ensuring a balanced and comprehensive approach”.
He also said that the Cyprus Presidency would work to strengthen democratic principles, to counter attacks on democracy, misinformation and foreign interference.
Regarding autonomy through competitiveness, the President said the Cyprus Presidency would promote administrative simplification and further European integration. “The Cyprus Presidency will work on enhancing energy security, alternative supply and routes and affordable prices,” he said.
He will also emphasise on strengthening energy interconnectivity infrastructure and investments in clean and innovative technologies, while promoting regional connectivity, focusing on strategies for ports and the maritime industry, strengthening digital sovereignty and reducing external dependencies, sustainable reduction of gas emissions.
Under the pillar on Europe “open to the world”, according to the President, the Cyprus Presidency will work to strengthen the EU’s strategic capabilities and its role in shaping international developments, while remaining fully committed to cooperation.
In particular, he referred to Ukraine, Moldova, the Western Balkans and Turkey. He noted that the Presidency is fully committed to advancing the enlargement agenda in a credible manner to achieve tangible results. He indicated that Ukraine would be a key priority, with the Presidency continuing to promote the EU’s diplomatic, political, political, economic, military, energy and humanitarian support to it.
In addition, it will work to strengthen the EU’s relations with the Southern and Eastern Neighbourhood and the Gulf countries, but also to promote cooperation through IMEC, deepening cooperation with organisations such as the Gulf Cooperation Council and with the League of Arab States.
It will also work to strengthen cooperation with the US and the UK and with other states with similar approaches.
On the fourth pillar, on an autonomous Union of Values, President Christodoulides said that the Cyprus Presidency will work to strengthen the rule of law across the EU. He will also focus on affordable housing, promoting the implementation of the relevant European plan.
The President also said that the Cyprus Presidency will support the implementation of the Anti-Poverty Strategy, with initiatives that will provide safe and quality food for all.
Another priority is the protection of children and ensuring a safe online environment through the Commission’s Action Plan against online bullying. It will also promote gender equality and combat all forms of discrimination, youth-friendly policies and focus on mental health policies.
Finally, on the fifth pillar, which concerns the budget, the President noted that the Cyprus Presidency will advance negotiations on all legislative dossiers for the proposed Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034, with the aim of delivering in June a mature negotiating framework with indicative figures.
“The EU was built through the enduring courage of visionaries to lead it forward,” he said, noting that it is transformed through challenges. “European autonomy and the further deepening of integration that accompanies it are the natural evolution of the European project”, he said, noting that in this perspective, the Cyprus Presidency will work with determination to give new impetus to the European project and contribute to the next step of the common path towards an “autonomous Union open to the world”, underlining that this is the best safeguard for a continent of peace, security and cooperation.
The event was welcomed by the Minister of State for European Affairs, Marilena Rauna. “The road to the Cyprus Presidency is complete. We are ready to present our political vision, objectives and priorities of the Cyprus Presidency,” she said. She noted that it is no coincidence that the event is being held in Lefkara, as the aim is for the Presidency to be a vehicle for the promotion of the country.
He said that during the Presidency, Cyprus will host over 260 meetings in all the provinces of free Cyprus, including the informal meeting of member states and 19 informal ministerial meetings. Cyprus will chair over 1500 meetings in Brussels, host around 30,000 visitors from all over Europe and negotiate over 330 legislative and other dossiers.
“Our goal is a realistically ambitious presidency, with tangible results for the benefit of all European citizens,” he said.
Cyprus takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 January 2026 for six months at a critical juncture with the war in Ukraine continuing and Europe facing serious geostrategic challenges and open fronts such as on agriculture and the Mercosur agreement.