Priorities

A more autonomous Europe is a more secure Europe. To protect our citizens and defend our interests, we must strengthen our capacity to act independently when necessary—without fear of reducing dependencies and with the confidence and capability to ensure that Europe can safeguard itself.

Security is no longer a monodimensional or conventional concept. The interdependence of the myriad facets of security, exposes at the same time inherent vulnerabilities. It is thus imperative to hedge our risks, expand our security bandwidth and build up our pre-emptive capacities. With our eyes on the future and our vision in a 360-degree scope.

The ongoing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, marked by an illegal invasion and continued occupation, dictates an unequivocal commitment to international law. Its founding principles cannot be violated—neither in this case nor in any other, in Europe or beyond. Double standards are not the EU’s compass.

The intensified multidirectional hybrid attacks, the recent violations of EU airspace, coupled with the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine, are manifestations of the challenges to Europe’s security architecture. These threats underscore the urgency of strengthening the Union’s defence readiness and strategic autonomy, reducing dependencies and enhancing the EU’s capacity to respond effectively and proactively. The Cyprus Presidency will support key defence initiatives and flagship projects of common interest and will prioritise the swift implementation of the White Paper on the Future of European Defence and the accompanying Readiness Roadmap 2030.

Strengthening transatlantic relations, as the cornerstone of European security, and advancing further EU-NATO cooperation, will also remain a key priority. We must ensure that the transatlantic relationship evolves, adjusts and is morphed in an inclusive, reciprocal, transparent and mutually beneficial manner. The Cyprus Presidency will promote greater coherence and transparency in engagement with like-minded global partners, thus expanding our strategic outlook. Greater Union autonomy creates more value for our partners.

Ensuring freedom of navigation and security across all maritime routes are essential elements. The EU should be able to effectively protect its maritime borders and vital maritime routes, safeguard critical infrastructure, and work for more resilient energy and trade interconnections. Fully committed to the rules-based order at sea and grounded in UNCLOS, the Presidency will advance the implementation of the EU Maritime Security Strategy, including through enhanced cooperation with EU bodies and partners in regions such as the Red Sea, the Horn of Africa, the Gulf, and the Indo-Pacific.

Economic security is another key dimension of European autonomy. It requires protection against supply-chain vulnerabilities, critical-infrastructure threats, technology leakage and weaponised dependencies. The Cyprus Presidency will steer implementation of the 2023 Economic Security Strategy, advancing the new Joint Communication to promote more coordinated and strategic use of existing tools and the development of new ones.

Water resilience has emerged as another critical dimension of security. It is a strategic priority central to climate adaptation, economic competitiveness, and crisis preparedness. The Presidency will support the implementation of the European Water Resilience Strategy, ensuring access to clean and affordable water for all.

Effective migration management — of both its internal and external dimensions, and addressing the root causes of migration—is yet another central facet of security. The Cyprus Presidency will prioritise the full implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum and will promote a strengthened return system and deeper and more meaningful cooperation with key third countries, thus ensuring a balanced and comprehensive approach.

Attacks on democracy — including disinformation, foreign interference, pressures on media freedom, hate speech and electoral manipulation — pose a serious threat to the EU foundations and core values, with particularly acute risks for children exposed to harmful online content. In this context, the Cyprus Presidency will work closely with the Commission and Member States to strengthen democratic resilience through initiatives such as the EU Democracy Package.

At the same time, the Cyprus Presidency will pay special attention to initiatives that combat all forms of discrimination - including antisemitism and hate , intolerance, racism, xenophobia and anti-Muslim hatred - by strengthening follow-up efforts related to the Council’s declaration of 15 October 2024 on fostering Jewish life and combating antisemitism, as well as the forthcoming Commission Strategy on anti-racism.

Internal threats — from organised and transnational crime, to terrorism and violent extremism, including in the digital sphere — demand swift and urgent action in line with the ProtectEU Strategy. This is integral to strengthened law-enforcement capabilities, enhanced transnational cooperation and improved regulatory framework.

The EU Preparedness Union Strategy complements the broader security framework by addressing threats ranging from geopolitical tensions to climate-driven natural disasters. The Presidency will prioritise its implementation to ensure that the Union is prepared to protect its citizens.

Only a more competitive Union can yield a more autonomous Union.

Europe’s competitiveness is the basis for resilience and autonomous action. A more competitive Europe will be better placed to secure sustainable growth and deliver on its strategic objectives. We must seize this generational opportunity, acting decisively and with urgency to boost our competitiveness in the world.

A clear and predictable regulatory framework is a practical enabler of Europe’s competitiveness. This empowers businesses - particularly SMEs and start-ups - to focus on what really matters: investment, innovation and global competition. Supporting the growth of smaller enterprises helps build a more agile and self-reliant European industrial ecosystem. The Cyprus Presidency will prioritise regulatory simplification, by advancing the omnibus proposals to streamline EU rules and reduce red tape.

Completing the Single Market is crucial to further European integration. It demands dismantling unjustified barriers, safeguarding consumers, fostering inclusive growth and strengthening the conditions for innovation. A stronger Single Market is vital for Europe’s strategic autonomy, economic prosperity and clean energy transition. This means modernising our industry, driving the green and digital shifts, and revitalising our industrial base by securing critical raw materials, reinforcing clean-tech supply chains, and reducing energy vulnerabilities.

Boosting Europe’s financial autonomy is pivotal for a dynamic economy. The Cyprus Presidency will work to deepen capital markets and advance the Savings and Investment Union, ensuring that private savings are channelled more effectively into productive investment across the Union. Open and efficient capital markets are fundamental to financing Europe’s future, underpinning the Union’s long-term strategic objectives.

Energy volatility and high energy costs continue to hinder Europe’s competitiveness. Strengthening energy security, diversifying supplier networks and routes, and ensuring affordable and predictable prices are essential for industry, for growth, and for the prosperity of our citizens. The Cyprus Presidency will focus on enhancing energy grid infrastructure and interconnections, promoting citizen engagement, and investing in clean and breakthrough technologies.

The Presidency will advance cross-regional connectivity, especially for islands and peripheral regions, through resilient digital networks, modern transport links, and key energy corridors. The forthcoming Ports and Industrial Maritime Strategies will be prioritised to empower Europe’s ports and waterborne industries to lead the clean and digital transition, to safeguard shipping and to ultimately reinforce Europe’s maritime leadership.

Strengthening Europe’s digital sovereignty and reducing external dependencies are necessary for securing the Union’s digital leadership. The Presidency will therefore focus on key technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), cloud infrastructure and cybersecurity, all essential to ensure that Europe can shape its own digital future.

Europe’s shift toward sustainable, low-carbon and resource-efficient production must preserve ambition while supporting competitiveness. The Presidency will promote this balanced approach to strengthen agricultural and food systems and ensure fair conditions and stable supply.

Autonomy does not mean turning inward – it means engaging the world from a clear position of unified strength and strategy. By reinforcing our strategic capabilities, Europe enhances its ability to shape international developments while remaining firmly committed to cooperation. Autonomy entails power through partnership, and at the same time provides the foundation for promoting core interests worldwide.

The Cyprus Presidency stands ready to increase the EU’s visibility, and act as enabler to reinforce the Union’s role as a strategic global actor by making better use of its toolbox, and building on strong partnerships across all regions of the world.

This effort begins with the Union itself. From Ukraine and Moldova to our Western Balkan partners, and Türkiye, in line with established strict and fair conditionality. Enlargement is about completing a vision—one that unifies Europe and expands the space of peace, democracy, security and stability. Enlargement has proven to be one of the EU’s most transformative tools, including within candidate countries, reflecting their willingness to reform and solve longstanding problems with their neighbours based on European law, values and principles. Enlargement in essence represents a strategic investment in Europe’s future. The Cyprus Presidency is firmly committed to advancing the enlargement agenda in a credible manner, by delivering tangible results on a merit-based process.

Ukraine will be a central priority. The Presidency will continue to advance the Union’s diplomatic, political, economic, military, energy, and humanitarian support to Ukraine. The EU’s support for Ukraine’s efforts for a just and lasting peace, with full respect of the country’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders remains unwavering.

An open Union is open to all its neighbours, East and South. The Cyprus Presidency will work to revitalise the Union’s engagement with its Southern partners and the Gulf. A stronger and more strategic partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood is a long-term investment in regional peace, stability, prosperity and security. The New Pact for the Mediterranean provides a renewed framework for tangible, results-oriented cooperation.

The Presidency will promote its objectives and implementation, including complementarity with India- Middle East - Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). It will further promote an ambitious EU agenda with our Middle East and Gulf partners, advocating deeper strategic cooperation and a reinforced EU presence in the region. The Presidency will support deepening relations with regional organisations such as the Gulf Cooperation Council and the League of Arab States, providing a bridge to partners in Asia and Africa. The Cyprus Presidency will also work on fostering intercultural and interfaith dialogue as a vital element of mutual understanding, social cohesion and regional stability.

The Presidency will support efforts to deepen cooperation with the US on all critical files, as well as with the UK and other like-minded partners, including in tackling together challenges for peace and stability around the globe.

Recent strains in international trade highlight the need to reinforce the Union’s internal market and diversify external partnerships to reduce strategic dependencies. The Cyprus Presidency will support ongoing efforts to promote an open, robust and sustainable EU trade policy by expanding the network of trade agreements, strengthening the rules-based multilateral system — including the WTO — and ensuring effective implementation and enforcement of existing accords.

As the world’s largest provider of development and humanitarian assistance, the EU plays a pivotal role in global crisis response. The Cyprus Presidency will seek to elevate this role further, and promote efforts to enhance the EU’s capacity for rapid and effective crisis response, ensuring that no crisis is forgotten or neglected. It will foster stronger synergies between emergency relief and long-term development — particularly through initiatives such as Global Gateway.

The strength of our autonomous Union lies in its people and in the active involvement of every European. An autonomous Union leaves no citizen behind: it exists to protect our shared values, empower participation, and create an enabling environment in which all can thrive.

What binds us together are the core values embedded in the Rule of Law, fundamental rights, and democracy - prerequisites for the flourishing and the full participation of all Europeans in our shared society. The Cyprus Presidency will work to strengthen the Rule of Law across the Union, building on existing tools and mechanisms whilst advancing a spirit of trust and cooperation among all Member States.

A truly autonomous Europe depends on strong social cohesion, where no person or region is left behind. This means tackling poverty and ensuring access to affordable housing and energy.

In this regard, the Cyprus Presidency will focus on affordable housing, promoting the implementation of the European Affordable Housing Plan with full respect for the principle of subsidiarity and national competences, contributing to efforts to meet the fundamental need for a safe and stable home.

It will also support the implementation of the forthcoming Anti-Poverty Strategy, advancing also initiatives that secure an unobstructed supply of safe, high-quality food for all.

Children are the present and future of Europe. We must protect and prepare them for the challenges of a rapidly changing world. The Cyprus Presidency will advance the implementation of the European Child Guarantee, tackling child poverty and ensuring access to affordable, high-quality early childhood education, so that every child can thrive and contribute to Europe’s long-term prosperity. Within this context, the Presidency will also seek to promote digital well-being by fostering a safer online environment for minors, including through the Commission’s anticipated Action Plan against cyberbullying.

Europe must ensure an inclusive society with equal opportunities for everyone. The Presidency will support the full implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, promoting gender equality, removing barriers for people with disabilities, and supporting active ageing with dignity, solidarity, and intergenerational balance.

The EU’s autonomy also depends on ensuring that its people have the skills and conditions to adapt to the new realities. As digital and green shifts reshape our economies, investing in high-quality education, training, and lifelong learning is essential for competitiveness and shared prosperity. The Cyprus Presidency will advance initiatives in line with the Union of Skills, promoting fair and inclusive employment, with adequate working conditions. Particular attention will be given to farmers and fishers, ensuring a resilient working environment that supports generational renewal.

In this context, recognising the central role of young people in shaping Europe’s future, the Cyprus Presidency will promote youth-friendly policies that strengthen trust, participation and dialogue, embedding youth perspectives across skills and broader policy frameworks.

People’s trust in our health systems depends on the availability of adequate expertise, resources, and tools to ensure a coordinated response to future health crises. The Cyprus Presidency will promote actions that improve the daily lives of European citizens by strengthening access to and availability of medical products, fostering innovation, and enhancing the resilience and integration of health systems across the EU, in line with the vision of a truly autonomous European Health Union.

Particular attention will be devoted to mental health, highlighting the importance of active engagement of all stakeholders in the development of relevant policies, with a special focus on youth.

Strategic autonomy requires sufficient financing for our common goals.

The Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034 (MFF) is the Union’s strategic roadmap for the decade ahead — the key instrument that converts our long-term goals into concrete action.

The EU’s ability to safeguard its interests, reduce critical dependencies, compete and respond swiftly and independently to crises and security risks while also accommodating future enlargements must stand at the heart of the new long-term budget.

The Cyprus Presidency, building on the progress achieved, will significantly advance negotiations on all sectoral legislative files of the proposed MFF. In this respect, we will work constructively and in a transparent manner with all relevant actors to shape a balanced framework.

The Presidency aims to deliver a well-developed, mature negotiating box with indicative figures to pave the way for the timely conclusion of negotiations at the European Council.