Cyprus intends to host an EU council in April 2026 with the participation of countries from the broader region, including the Gulf and India, and in this context will be sending an invitation to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President Nikos Christodoulides told a British podcast.

Speaking on The Rest is Politics, Christodoulides said the council meeting was scheduled for April 23, 2026, in the framework of Cyprus’ EU rotating presidency in the first half of next year.

“We will invite the Turkish president as we will invite all the leaders,” Christodoulides said.

The podcast’s hosts, former British politicians Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart, noted the EU’s limited presence in the region.

Christodoulides agreed, saying the goal of Cyprus’ presidency is to bring the EU closer to its neighbouring regions.

Christodoulides also said that the southeastern Mediterranean faces a range of challenges, and the EU cannot claim a geostrategic role without playing a more active part in the Middle East.

Speaking on Monday in Nicosia, Christodoulides said “we are not pleased with the involvement of the EU, a lot more could be done.

“As the EU member state in the region, we are undertaking this responsibility through our presidency and among our plans is to hold an informal Council with the participation of leaders in the region. I was asked about Erdogan. I said of course there was no problem on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus,” Christodoulides said.

He said one could not change the geography of the region.

“You cannot change the geography. Turkey will always be a neighbouring state […] we want Turkey to be close to the EU and it us solely up to Turkey to move forward with its obligations,” he added.

In this context, Christodoulides said, “Erdogan will be welcome to this Council to discuss developments in the region – I repeat – at the initiative of the Republic of Cyprus.”

Asked if he would be inviting Pope Leo XIV during the EU presidency, Christodoulides said he had nothing to announce at the time being and that much was being discussed, with the focus being on the Middle East.