UK minister attends EU informal European Affairs council in Nicosia in first post-Brexit invitation

Nicosia, Cyprus. British Minister for European Relations Nick Thomas-Symonds said his presence at the informal European Affairs council in Nicosia was a “historic moment” as he joined EU counterparts. It is the first time since Brexit that a UK minister has been invited to the informal meeting.

First UK minister invitation since Brexit

“This is a real historic moment. It’s the first time that a UK minister has been invited to and will speak at this council since Brexit,” Thomas-Symonds said.

Visit to Cyprus and prior trip

Arriving at the venue to attend a working lunch, Thomas-Symonds said it was “particularly delightful” to be back in Cyprus. He said his last trip to Cyprus was in November 2025 to discuss deepening security and economic cooperation.

Call for cooperation amid instability

“As we see increasing foreign interference in our democracies, and we see the global instability that the world faces at the moment, the message that I’m going to be bringing today is this isn’t a moment to be increasing barriers between like-minded partners. This is a moment to be working together,” he said.

Cyprus EU Council presidency and UK message

Thomas-Symonds said it was “great” to be in Cyprus, which is currently holding the rotating presidency of the EU Council. He also cited comments by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, saying there was determination by the government to put the United Kingdom “at the heart of Europe” and that shared challenges are “better tackled together.”

What do you think the UK and EU should prioritise in working together on shared challenges?