A top goal for Cyprus is to raise awareness in Brussels about the importance of our region and the challenges we face, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Sunday evening.

The president was addressing a dinner hosted by Egyptian Ambassador Mohamed Zazou on Sunday and referring to Cyprus’ upcoming European Council Presidency in 2026.

Egypt “should consider Cyprus as its ambassador to the EU”, Christodoulides said, adding that Cyprus acts as the “EU’s ambassador to the region”, and through joint work, regional countries and peoples would benefit.

Cooperation between Cyprus and Egypt is very strong, Zazou said, as the two countries share “the same vision for prosperity, peace and stability in the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean.”

The friendship that Cyprus has with the Arab world in general, was highlighted by Christodoulides’ presence at the event, Zazou said.

“Cyprus and Egypt are connected through culture and history and our bilateral relations [are] excellent [and] moving in the right direction in various sectors,” Zazou added.

He thanked the President and the Republic for the level of assistance it offers Egypt at the EU level “on issues of utmost importance” and reiterated Egypt’s support for a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem, in the form of a bizonal bicommunal federation in accordance with the resolutions of the UN Security Council.

Christodoulides said that the two regions were working together to address problems but also to seize opportunities.

“You know our strong and deep feelings for our Arab brothers and sisters, we are part of the same region, the same neighborhood, we have common challenges, but at the same time we also have common opportunities,” he said.

Referring to the assumption of the EU council Presidency by Cyprus in the first half of 2026, Christodoulides said “one of our highest priorities is to raise awareness […] about the importance of our region, about the challenges we face.”

He said the state planned to host a meeting between EU leaders and regional leaders in Cyprus to bring the EU to the region “so that there is more understanding of the importance of the region.”

“The challenges we face are challenges that the EU also faces and the only way forward is to work together,” the president said.

The event was also attended by Defence Minister Vassilis Palmas and Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna.