Press Trip: Cyprus EU Presidency – Building Bridges, Strengthening Europe

A four-day press trip organised by the Press and Information Office (PIO) of the Republic of Cyprus from 13 to 16 January 2026 offered a group of Brussels-based correspondents a curated introduction to the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU and the island itself.

During the study visit, the journalists experienced Cyprus’ renowned hospitality and attended a series of briefings led by senior government officials. These briefings offered valuable insights into the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency and the national context that shapes them. Participants also had the opportunity to discover Cyprus by visiting sites of historical, cultural and tourist interest. 

Autonomy, Openness and Inclusion

One of the most noteworthy parts of the trip was the visit to the Presidential Palace, where the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nikos Christodoulides, provided an in-depth overview of Cyprus’ role within the European Union and the objectives of the Cyprus Presidency. 

At a working dinner, President Christodoulides said that the Presidency is both a national priority and an opportunity for the country. Cyprus will act as an honest broker and strengthen Europe’s role, given its status as a small member state and the EU’s closest neighbour to the Middle East. He highlighted Cyprus’ improved political and economic standing, noting strong growth, low unemployment, reduced migration flows and restored top credit ratings. He also stressed the need for deeper European integration.

The programme also included briefings at the Press Centre of the Cyprus Presidency.  There, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Constantinos Kombos, and the Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Ms Marilena Raouna, explained how the Cyprus Presidency will navigate through the numerous geopolitical challenges currently facing Europe. 

Guided by its own experiences, its proximity to the Middle East and the excellent relations with the countries of the region, as well as its established priorities, Cyprus stands ready to address these challenges. The aim is a Union that combines strategic autonomy with international openness, and protects our shared values, fostering an economic and social environment in which everyone can thrive.

The journalists also visited the new Lefkosia Town Hall, where the Minister of Interior, Mr Constantinos Ioannou, outlined the government's approach to housing policy in relation to the EU's housing agenda.  

In his presentation, Minister Ioannou emphasised the objective of the Cyprus Presidency to strengthen the European dimension of housing policy. This will be achieved by building on the European Affordable Housing Plan and any subsequent Commission initiatives and legislative proposals stemming from it.

The four-day programme included a guided tour of the “Zenon” Coordination Centre in Larnaka, which operates under the administration of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) both as a Migration Flow Management Centre in the Eastern Mediterranean and as a National Crisis Management Centre. This was followed by briefings by the Minister of Defence, Mr Vasilis Palmas, and the Political Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms Salina Shambos.

Moreover, the journalists met with the Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Mr Michael Damianos, the Deputy Minister for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Mr Nicodemos Damianou, and the Deputy Minister for Migration and International Protection, Mr Nicholas Ioannides. The Ministers shared perspectives on key national and European policy initiatives within their respective portfolios.

On 15 January 2026, media representatives covered the proceedings of the College of Commissioners, who convened with the Cyprus Presidency, at Lemesos Port. 

A trip through memory and culture 

During the journalists’ visit to the Presidential Palace, the First Lady, Philippa Karsera Christodoulides, walked them through the palace's art collection. The artworks housed there cover the period from the early 20th century to the present day, showcasing a representative panorama of Cypriot art. Additionally, a selection of Cypriot antiquities, figurines and sculptures dating from the 4th millennium BC to the 1st century BC, reveal the island's archaeological heritage. 

An engaging experience of Cyprus’ intangible heritage and cultural identity was offered to journalists during their visit to the “Myths and Tales of Cyprus” exhibition at the historic Kastelliotissa Medieval Hall, in the old town of Lefkosia within the Venetian walls. This innovative production by the PIO uses 3D models and constructions, as well as virtual reality, to depict mythical figures from Cypriot folklore. 

The press trip’s programme also addressed issues of historical memory and humanitarian concern. It featured a guided tour along part of the UN-controlled buffer zone, also known as the Green Line, in Lefkosia. This ceasefire line separates areas under the control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus from those occupied by Turkey.

This included a tour of the PIO’s walking photographic exhibition “The Cyprus Question”, located on Lidinis Street on the Green Line. The exhibition features compelling images from the PIO photo archive that capture the tragic events that unfolded after the Turkish invasion of July 1974, and their dire consequences for Cyprus and its people, which continue to this day. 

The walk to Lefkosia's old town introduced participants to the wider Chrysaliniotissa area around the Panagia Chrysaliniotissa Church, the oldest Byzantine church in Lefkosia. The area is home to various workshops engaged in contemporary applications of traditional crafts. 

The press trip rounded off at the coastal city of Larnaka. The journalists visited the Church of Agios Lazaros, one of the most remarkable examples of Byzantine architecture in Cyprus. They also participated at a guided tour of the Larnaka Salt Lake, which is a significant Ramsar and Natura 2000 site, and the Hala Sultan Tekke.

The Director of the PIO, Ms Aliki Stylianou, accompanied the participants throughout the press trip, supported by a dedicated team.

In line with a long-standing EU tradition, the Cyprus Presidency’s press trip offered journalists the chance to explore the Presidency’s priorities in more depth and develop a broader understanding of the host country.