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As Cyprus prepares to assume the rotating Presidency of the European Union, the island nation is positioning itself as a neutral facilitator, emphasizing trust, consensus, and results for citizens and businesses alike.
Speaking at the Brussels Delphi Economic Forum, Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU Georgios Ioannides underscored that Cyprus seeks to leave a legacy as an “honest broker” with no national agenda, even when handling sensitive issues such as maritime policy. “We want everyone to know that we are honest brokers. We do not have an agenda… we will have our EU hat on, not the Cyprus hat,” he said.
Cyprus’s priorities reflect the EU’s response to a world in flux. Ioannides described the current era as one of geopolitical upheaval, where Europe must balance sovereignty with openness, regulations with innovation, and adapt to, rather than merely respond to, change. He called strategic autonomy “no longer a choice, it is a necessity.”
The Eastern Mediterranean and broader Middle East will be central to Cyprus’s agenda. Ioannides noted that Cyprus aims to turn its complex neighborhood into an advantage, citing humanitarian operations in Lebanon, Sudan, Israel, and Gaza.
Other priorities include promoting the EU’s green and digital transitions with a focus on citizens and businesses, and addressing water resilience, particularly in Southeast Europe, where droughts and water scarcity are pressing concerns. Cyprus will collaborate closely with its Med 9 partners and the European Parliament to secure funding and coordinated action.
“We have done our homework… we are confident that we will be successful for the Union,” Ioannides said, signaling years of preparatory work and relationship-building within EU institutions.
