The new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), health, energy, water scarcity and environment are among the issues Cyprus will be addressing during its second EU presidency, in the first half of 2026.

Sources told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that a road map is being implemented and there is close cooperation with the other member states of the Poland-Denmark-Cyprus trio.

Other issues on the agenda include competitiveness, EU security and defence, enlargement and migration, the sources told CNA.

The final programme of the trio is expected to be announced in December 2024, while consultations on the six-month programme will begin in January 2025.

The preparation of the Council’s agenda is also expected to begin in 2025.

Cyprus, the sources said, has raised a series of issues and suggestions on common topics to the general secretariat of the Council and these matters were the subject of negotiation on both a political and technocratic level.

These issues have to do with relations with the southern neighbourhood countries and the Gulf states, health, employment, innovation and research, inter alia.

The priorities of Cyprus’ programme should be consistent with the wider EU programme and current social, economic and other conditions, the sources noted.

The same sources pointed out that Cyprus’ EU presidency is an opportunity to prove that Nicosia does not have a monothematic approach, but also a chance to highlight the Cyprus issue as a European one. The fact that Cyprus is the last divided member state of the EU will be highlighted during the visits of various officials, the sources added.

The various events and councils will take place at “Filoxenia” conference centre, which is currently under renovation.

Cyprus will be hosting more than 15 informal ministerial councils and more than 200 meetings, sessions and events. A total of 20,000 individuals are expected to be visiting Cyprus, according to estimates.

The same sources said that some Turkish Cypriots applied for the vacancies announced by the foreign ministry for Brussels postings. They also said that the air connectivity issue is being discussed with the transport ministry.

The secretariat of Cyprus’ presidency is also in constant cooperation and coordination with ministries and deputy ministries. Filling various posts has already begun and the public and private sectors are becoming involved in preparations.