Newsroom
For households watching their energy bills and businesses struggling with running costs, President Nikos Christodoulides took a practical request to Brussels: Give governments more room to help.
Energy costs were among the priorities he outlined at the European Council summit on Oct. 15–16, alongside EU funding, Cyprus’ Schengen ambitions and the planned electricity connection with Greece.
The discussions could influence decisions affecting everyday life here, from support for households to funding for farming and local development. But requests made at the summit should not be mistaken for measures already approved.
More flexibility to tackle energy costs
Arriving at Thursday’s meeting, Christodoulides called for greater EU flexibility so member states can introduce national measures to address energy costs. He also backed a further postponement of the new emissions trading system, known as ETS2.
For people here, the immediate question is whether those negotiations will give the government more scope to provide relief. His intervention was a request for that flexibility, rather than an announcement of a new subsidy or reduction in bills.
December in focus for Schengen
Christodoulides also used the Brussels visit to press Cyprus’ application to join Schengen, saying the technical preparation had been completed and that he hoped the relevant EU council would discuss the issue in December.
He said he would raise the application with fellow leaders, following discussions with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
For travellers, it is a development worth watching. December is a potential decision point, however, rather than a confirmed date for membership or changes to border checks.
The power cable — and Turkey — enter the discussion
The president said he would highlight the energy, economic and geopolitical importance of the Great Sea Interconnector, the planned electricity link between Greece and Cyprus.
He also intended to raise Turkish actions connected to the project and a cooperation memorandum between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side, which the Republic of Cyprus considers illegal.
For consumers, the relevant issue is whether the project can move forward and eventually expand the island’s electricity supply options. The Brussels intervention itself does not settle the project’s outstanding challenges.
Protecting funding for farms and communities
On Thursday, Christodoulides attended the European People’s Party summit and met leaders in the “Friends of Cohesion” group, which is involved in negotiations over the next long-term EU budget.
Cyprus wants sufficient funding preserved for regional development and agriculture as Europe also seeks more money for defence, security and competitiveness.
Behind the budget terminology is a familiar question: How much funding will remain available for communities, rural areas and the people who work the land? Nicosia is seeking an overall political agreement by the end of 2026.
Migration and regional security on Friday’s schedule
Friday’s programme included a meeting with like-minded leaders on migration before the summit continued. Christodoulides was scheduled to return to Cyprus in the afternoon.
The European Council’s second-day agenda also covered Ukraine, European defence and security, and the Middle East, discussions with particular relevance to an island close to the region’s conflicts. Leaders had already adopted first-day conclusions on competitiveness, the next EU budget, enlargement and reforms.
*With information from the Cyprus Presidency, the European Council CNA and Vergina TV.
