Newsroom
Cyprus isn’t just getting ready to lead the Council of the European Union in 2026; it’s getting a masterclass from the Poles. On October 9, Polish and Cypriot teams met in Nicosia to swap insights, share "war" stories, and spark discussions on what it really takes to steer Europe’s political ship.
Poland, which wrapped up its EU presidency this past June, sent a top-notch team led by Undersecretary of State Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka. She and her colleagues walked their Cypriot counterparts through the nitty-gritty of running high-level meetings, juggling protocol, handling logistics, and keeping communications tight.
Later, the conversation went public at EU House, where students, academics, and civil society representatives joined in a lively Civil Dialogue session. The Polish Embassy in Cyprus teamed up with UCLan Cyprus’s Centre of Excellence for the Rule of Law and European Values, Oxygen for Democracy, and CARDET to talk about what Poland learned and what Cyprus could take away.
Mrs. Magdalena Bogdziewicz, Director of the Office for the Polish Presidency, and Ambassador Marek Szczepanowski took the floor to highlight the challenges and wins of Poland’s “Security, Europe” Presidency. From tackling migration issues and misinformation to boosting youth engagement, the discussion touched on the big questions that affect Europe and Cyprus today.
Experts like Professor Stephanie Laulhe-Shaelou, Dr. Nicholas Kyriakides, and Ms. Fotini Socratous rounded out the session with concrete recommendations for Cyprus, making sure the island’s upcoming presidency will be informed, strategic, and citizen-friendly.
In the end, the message was clear: leading the EU is no small feat, but with lessons from neighbors, a strong civil dialogue, and a bit of inspiration, Cyprus is set to step into 2026 ready to make its mark.
