Strasbourg, France. President Nikos Christodoulides will present Cyprus’s EU presidency priorities to the European Parliament on Tuesday, as Trump’s threats to annex Greenland form part of the wider geopolitical backdrop. He is expected to frame Cyprus’s leadership around the country’s position on the EU’s southeastern edge and its experience under occupation.
Focus on strategic autonomy and cohesion
According to sources, Christodoulides will argue that Europe must strengthen strategic autonomy, resilience and competitiveness as geopolitical threats mount. In the planned speech, he will say a truly autonomous Europe requires strength and cohesion from within, including the ability to protect citizens, borders and interests, while maintaining alliances and cooperation from a position of credibility guided by international law, dialogue and diplomacy.
Sovereignty and territorial integrity
The President is expected to stress that respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states is a prerequisite for the Union’s security and stability. He will cite the EU’s support for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion as proof of European credibility and collective responsibility.
Five pillars for Cyprus’s initiatives
Cyprus will present its initiatives through five pillars.
Defence and preparedness by 2030
Cyprus will push for rapid implementation of the White Paper on the future of European defence and the roadmap for defence preparedness by 2030. The planned initiatives include the EU defence industry strategy, the European defence transformation roadmap, the SAFE initiative and the European defence industry programme.
Transatlantic ties, maritime, economic and water security
The presidency will emphasise strengthening transatlantic relations and maritime security, particularly freedom of navigation. Cyprus will also prioritise economic security and water security as strategic challenges.
Protecting democracies and countering threats
The agenda includes protecting democracies against foreign interference, disinformation, hybrid threats and hate speech. It also includes stronger law enforcement cooperation against organised crime, terrorism and violent extremism in the digital space.
Migration as a security issue
Cyprus will treat migration management as a European security matter and will push for full implementation of the Migration and Asylum Pact.
Competitiveness and reducing bureaucracy
Cyprus will argue that a more competitive Union is required to achieve real autonomy. Priorities include cutting bureaucracy for small and medium-sized enterprises by completing simplification legislation, strengthening the Single Market, and deepening capital markets to boost financial autonomy.
Which of Cyprus’s five pillars do you think should be prioritised during its EU presidency?
