Christodoulides: Cyprus to Strive for an EU of Peace

Speaking at the opening ceremony in Nicosia, Christodoulides said Cyprus was at the crossroads of three continents in a region full of challenges and would continue to act as a reliable bridge between the EU and the broader region, promoting dialogue, cooperation and mutual understanding.

“Always as part of the solution and never as part of the problem,” he assured. 

Christodoulides said this was the Europe he would be striving for over the next six months, for the bloc of 27 member states and 450 million people.

The more united and extrovert the EU is, the more safety and stability it will be able to offer its people, he added.

Opening the ceremony, Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna said the heart of Europe was beating louder in Nicosia on Wednesday, adding that Cyprus was assuming the presidency with “immense pride and a deep sense of responsibility”. 

Raouna said Cyprus embarked on its presidency of the EU Council determined “to act as a bridge between member states, between institutions, between ambition and delivery, and between Europe and its wider region”.

While Cyprus is a small island, it carries a big European soul, at a time when Europe stands at a pivotal moment calling for “unity, resilience, boldness and confidence in our shared future”, she said.

Referring to Cyprus’ geostrategic position, Raouna said the island, located at the crossroads of three continents, has for centuries served as a meeting point of peoples, cultures and ideas, and today acts as a bridge between Europe and the wider region of the Middle East and Gulf, as well as “the EU’s beacon in the Eastern Mediterranean”. 

This lived experience, she said, shapes the Cyprus’ presidency, which is based on dialogue and cooperation, mutual respect and building bridges.

Addressing the ceremony, Zelenskiy said he believed it was possible for the Ukrainian war to end during Cyprus’ presidency.

Ukraine deserves, like Cyprus, to be an equal part of the EU, he said and expressed hope that the Cyprus’ presidency will be productive in moving the country forward on this path.

He added that sanctions against Russia should be upgraded and that a new package is being prepared to target Russia’s shadow fleet.

Zelenskiy said he expected a lot from Cyprus’ EU presidency.

“This is a Presidency we all expect a lot from. For Ukraine, this moment is very meaningful – just as it is for Cyprus – a member state that, unfortunately, remains divided, but committed to lasting peace – and is fully equal in Europe,” he said.

“Ukraine also deserves to be an equal part of our common European home. And we hope that your presidency will be productive in moving us forward on this path,” he added.

He expressed hope that during Cyprus’ presidency the implementation of the €90 billion support package for Ukraine would begin.