Christodoulides and Costa discuss EU budget, Cyprus problem and regional developments

Nicosia, Cyprus. President Nikos Christodoulides met European Council President Antonio Costa at the presidential palace on Friday, with the EU’s next long-term budget, the Cyprus problem and regional developments on the agenda.

Costa was on a working visit to Cyprus ahead of upcoming European Council discussions.

EU budget discussions

Christodoulides thanked Costa for his support during Cyprus’ EU Council presidency and welcomed his initiative to visit all EU member states.

He said the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034 was the most important issue facing the bloc and stressed the need for a political agreement by the end of 2026.

“We need to do our utmost to reach a political agreement by the end of 2026. We don’t have an alternative,” Christodoulides said.

He said the two leaders would also discuss Ukraine, the Middle East, EU enlargement, competitiveness, defence and security.

Cyprus problem

Christodoulides thanked Costa for his personal interest in the Cyprus problem and said they would discuss UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ efforts to resume negotiations.

“The Cyprus problem is a European problem and the European Union can play a decisive role in order to reunite our country,” he said.

He added that any settlement should be based on UN Security Council resolutions and EU law, values and principles.

European unity

Costa congratulated Christodoulides on Cyprus’ EU Council presidency during the first half of the year.

He said the EU faced challenging decisions in the coming months, particularly regarding the 2028-2034 budget.

Costa said his visits to EU capitals were intended to ensure that European institutions remained close to citizens and member states.

“We need to work hand-in-hand because only together we can deliver, and our strength is based on our unity,” he said.