Newsroom
The Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union, Thérèse Blanchet, visited Cyprus today, meeting with President Nikos Christodoulides in Nicosia as the island prepares to assume the EU Council presidency at the start of 2026.
Blanchet’s visit is seen as a crucial step in ensuring Cyprus is ready to handle one of Europe’s top administrative roles. With the presidency comes responsibility for managing meetings, coordinating EU agendas, and helping member states reach consensus on key policies, a task that requires precise planning and close coordination with EU institutions.
Officials say the meeting focused on aligning Cyprus’s administrative, institutional, and political preparations with the expectations of the EU Council’s Secretariat. Blanchet’s presence underscores the importance of Cyprus entering the presidency fully prepared, both operationally and politically, to lead discussions on EU-wide issues.
For Cyprus, the visit is more than symbolic. Hosting a high-level EU official signals confidence in the island’s ability to handle the complex logistical and diplomatic challenges of the presidency. It also provides an opportunity for direct guidance from Brussels and a chance to smooth out any operational kinks ahead of January.
President Christodoulides welcomed the discussions, emphasizing Cyprus’s commitment to a productive and constructive term at the helm of the EU Council. For citizens and businesses, a successful presidency could boost the island’s international profile and strengthen its voice in European decision-making.
As Blanchet wrapped up her visit, the message was clear: Cyprus is entering the EU stage in 2026 with careful preparation, and the top brass in Brussels are watching closely.
