Cyprus will prioritise security, economic policy and migration during its upcoming term as president of the EU Council, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Friday.

Speaking after meeting European Commission secretary general Ilze Juhansone, Christodoulides said the government will work closely with it to advance the EU agenda, noting that Cyprus will inherit several dossiers from the outgoing Danish presidency.

Central to Nicosia’s focus will be the multiannual financial framework, with the president expressing hope for “substantial progress” and completion of negotiations by the end of 2026.

Christodoulides confirmed that the war in Ukraine will remain a top priority, announcing he will travel to Kyiv with the deputy minister for European affairs to signal continued support.

He also highlighted defence and security, migration and competitiveness as key areas where Cyprus seeks to accelerate progress, praising the European Commission for its work on migration over the past year.

Christodoulides added that coordination with the European parliament will intensify, adding that its president Roberta Metsola will visit Cyprus on Monday for further discussions.

On Friday, Juhansone also met with the House foreign affairs committee, saying that Cyprus’ EU presidency was a great opportunity for Europe to discuss cooperation “on a very specific basis”.

She pointed out that Cyprus knew the region.

When Christodoulides speaks about regional issues, EU leaders listen carefully because they know that he is knowledgeable, Juhansone said.

During the meeting, chairman of the foreign affairs committee Harris Georgiades raised the issue of discontent among national parliaments over the absence of commissioners from important parliamentary meetings. Juhansone said she would be conveying the observation to Brussels.

Georgiades also said the upcoming parliamentary elections would not affect Cyprus’ EU presidency and that the House would be participating in the events and activities organised.

To a remark by MP Giorgos Loucaides that the EU was spending a lot on defence to the expense of welfare and social cohesion, Juhansone assured him that the Commission was focusing on issues such as affordable housing, job quality, skills and labour mobility.

Juhansone agreed with MP Kostis Efstathiou that there should be a delicate balance between the potential and responsible use of AI.