Read the priorities of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU

The official motto of the Cypriot Presidency is “An Autonomous Union, Open to the World.”

As of 1 January 2026, Cyprus assumed the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first half of 2026. The programme of the Cypriot Presidency is based on the conviction that the European Union’s strategic autonomy is a prerequisite for its security, competitiveness, and ability to remain an open and reliable global partner. Autonomy is understood as the EU’s capacity to act independently in key areas while remaining open and dependable in its international engagement.

For its term, the Cypriot Presidency has defined five overarching priorities:

• strengthening the security, defence preparedness, and overall resilience of the European Union;
• enhancing competitiveness as the foundation of strategic autonomy;
• promoting an open Union and reinforcing global partnerships under a coherent strategic approach;
• upholding a Union of values that leaves no one behind;
• ensuring adequate financing for common European objectives, particularly in the context of the future Multiannual Financial Framework.

A key priority of the Cypriot Presidency is the negotiation of the EU Multiannual Financial Framework for the period 2028–2034, which is expected to enable the Union to deliver on its strategic ambitions in the areas of security, competitiveness, and the green and digital transitions, as well as to increase investment in education and skills. The Presidency aims to move negotiations towards a balanced compromise.

Priorities for research, development and innovation

According to the Cypriot Presidency, research and innovation are essential tools for strengthening the EU’s technological capacity, reducing strategic dependencies, and enhancing the resilience of the European economy in times of geopolitical and economic uncertainty. The Presidency is committed to supporting the development of key strategic technologies, reinforcing economic security through measures such as protecting critical technologies and infrastructure, reducing vulnerabilities in supply chains, and preventing undesirable technological dependencies. It also aims to strengthen links between research and industry, while promoting the concept of open strategic autonomy.

In the coming months, the Cypriot Presidency will contribute to significant progress in negotiations on the European Competitiveness Fund, the forthcoming Horizon Europe programme for 2028–2034, and the effective implementation of the Competitiveness Compass.

In the field of innovation, Cyprus will focus on fostering innovative enterprises, improving access to finance, and creating more favourable conditions for startups and small and medium-sized enterprises. Progress is expected on key initiatives, notably the European Innovation Act. Priorities also include the development of digital-based innovation ecosystems, particularly in artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and data infrastructures, in line with the Startup and Scaleup Strategy and the AI Continent Action Plan.

To strengthen Europe’s industrial competitiveness, the Presidency will initiate discussions on the forthcoming Industrial Accelerator Act. Building on the Clean Industrial Deal, efforts will focus on reinforcing strategic value chains, supporting industrial modernisation, and ensuring a regulatory framework that promotes sustainable investment, technological development, and the emergence of skilled and innovative industrial ecosystems, including the planned revision of the Chips Act.

The Presidency will also seek progress in negotiations on the European Space Act, which aims to establish a harmonised legislative framework for space activities across the EU while ensuring continued investment in the Union’s key space capabilities and assets. Related discussions will include the proposal for a Regulation on the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), intended to strengthen the agency’s role in supporting innovation, secure and resilient space services, and the wider uptake of EU space assets.

Finally, the Cypriot Presidency will support priorities stemming from the concept of the European Health Union, with a particular focus on strengthening the resilience of health systems, preparedness for health crises, and the availability of medicines and medical devices. Other planned agenda items include discussions on the so-called 28th regime, as well as issues related to the EU Global Gateway and the EU Strategic Agenda for the period 2024–2029.

Priorities for education, youth and sport

The Presidency links skills and education to social cohesion and the EU’s competitiveness. It emphasises that the green and digital transitions require sustained investment in quality education, vocational training, and lifelong learning, and that Cyprus intends to advance initiatives aligned with the Union of Skills. Accordingly, the Presidency will focus on strengthening skills development for all, supporting teachers and educators, and enhancing vocational and higher education in line with initiatives under the European Education Area. It also aims to promote inclusive learning approaches, student-centred education, civic education, and expanded learning mobility opportunities for all, within a lifelong learning perspective.

In the area of youth, the Presidency explicitly highlights support for youth-friendly policies that take young people’s needs into account, foster trust, participation and dialogue, and integrate the youth perspective into broader EU policy frameworks. In the field of sport, priorities include the promotion of sports tourism, active ageing, and mental health.

Special emphasis is placed on child protection and the social dimension. The Presidency intends to support the implementation of the European Child Guarantee, with a focus on reducing child poverty and ensuring access to affordable, high-quality early childhood education and care. In this context, it also highlights the promotion of digital well-being and a safer online environment for minors, including the expected European Commission action plan to combat cyberbullying.

More information is available on the website of the Cypriot Presidency.

Don't miss the Presidency's events in the field of research, innovation, education, youth, and sport:

February 23–25 – International Conference "Literacies and Contemporary Society: From Skills to Practices"

March 5–6 – Health (R&I): Advancement of Treatments for Rare Diseases

March 17–20 – European Youth Conference

March 19–20 – Blue Cities by 2030: Accelerating local change under the EU Cities and Ocean Missions

April 8–9 – Science and Innovation Enabling Regional Cooperation – Climate Action in MENA

May 6–8 – Conference “Whole Institution Approach and Education for Sustainable Development”

May 10–12 – Riding the Way from Ocean Science to Policy

May 21–22 – Limassol: European Maritime Day – Maritime Forum, European Commission

June 2–4 – Conference “Sport Tourism as a Driver for Sustainable Development”

June 22–23 – ESFRI Forum

June 23–25 – ETF Conference “Skills partnerships for VET reforms in the Mediterranean region”