Cyprus will work to strengthen an “Autonomous Union Open to the World” during its six-month term as President of the Council of the European Union, President Nicos Christodoulides said on Sunday, unveiling the programme and priorities for the upcoming presidency at the Lysi Conference Centre.

Christodoulides outlined five interlinked pillars that will guide Cyprus’s leadership: autonomy through security, defence and preparedness; autonomy through competitiveness; an EU open to the world; an autonomous Union of values for all; and a budget that supports a self-reliant EU.

Describing the day as a milestone for the country, the President said Cyprus is ready to lead, coordinate, negotiate, and act as an honest broker among the EU’s 27 member states. “The EU does not fear challenges; it sees them as opportunities, adapts, strengthens and moves forward,” he said.

The presidency will focus on key areas including security and defence, economic resilience, energy security, effective migration management, digital sovereignty, regional connectivity, and sustainable emission reduction. In addition, the presidency will promote the rule of law, affordable housing, child protection, online safety, gender equality, and poverty reduction initiatives.

On foreign policy, Cyprus will seek to enhance the EU’s role in shaping international developments, with a focus on Ukraine, Moldova, the Western Balkans, Turkey, the EU’s Southern and Eastern Neighbourhood, and the Gulf states. Partnerships with the US, the UK, and like-minded countries will also be prioritised.

During its presidency, Cyprus will host over 260 meetings across all districts, including informal summits and ministerial gatherings, preside over more than 1,500 meetings in Brussels, and welcome approximately 30,000 visitors from across Europe. The event concluded with the unveiling of the official presidency logo, inspired by Lefkara lace, featuring 27 tiles representing EU member states.