Informal Meeting of Heads of State or Government

The European Council is composed of the Heads of State or Government of the 27 EU Member States, the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission.

The meeting will provide an opportunity for EU leaders to engage in an open exchange of views on current political developments and issues of strategic importance for the European Union, in the context of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Information for journalists

Media programme

Thursday, 23 April 2026 
Venue: Agia Napa Marina, Ammochostos 

18:15– 19:00        Arrivals of the Heads of State or Government of the EU / Welcome by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, H.E. Mr Nikos Christodoulides
Doorstep opportunity
Open to all Media
Arrivals will be streamed on EBS

19:15             Family Photo

19:30 – 20:15     Exchange of views with the President of Ukraine
Pool Photo

20:15 – 22:15 Working Dinner 

22:15 – 23:00     Departures
Open to all media

Friday, 24 April 2026 *REVISED*
Venue: Filoxenia Conference Centre, Lefkosia

08:35 – 09:15        Arrivals of the Heads of State or Government of the EU / Welcome by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, H.E. Mr Nikos Christodoulides
Open to all Media
Arrivals will be streamed on EBS
Doorstep opportunity

09:30 – 10:00     Exchange with the President of the European Parliament
Pool Photo

10:00 – 12:00     Working session of the European Council

12:10 – 12:40     Official Press Conference 
Opportunity for bilateral meetings
Opportunity for national press briefings 
Open to all Media

12:50 – 13:05     Arrivals of Regional Partners  /  Welcome by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, H.E. Mr Nikos Christodoulides
Doorstep opportunity
Open to all Media

13:10 – 15:10    Working session including lunch with the Heads of State or Government of the EU and Regional Partners

15:20 – 15:30     Family Photo
Open to all Media

15:40 – 16:00    Press Statements (CY, EU institutions, regional partners)
Opportunity for bilateral meetings
Open to all Media

16:30    Departures
Exit Doorstep opportunity 

Doorsteps – Agia Napa 23 April 2026

Please note that the opportunity for doorstep statements in Agia Napa will be available until 19:00, which is the scheduled completion time for arrivals at the leaders’ dinner. Media are requested to take their positions in due time for the family photo.

Pool Cards for 24 April 2026, Filoxenia Conference Centre

Coverage of the plenary room will be limited to the host broadcaster and host photographer, one media representative per delegation, and selected international news agencies.
Pool cards for the plenary sessions may be collected by national delegations from the Press Centre. Delegations are requested to submit the name of the designated representative by 11:00 on Thursday, 23 April via email: [email protected]
Pool cards can be collected at the security checkpoint for entry to the Cyprus Presidency Press Centre (not the main entrance of the Conference Centre, but the side entrance to the Press Centre) from 11:00 to 20:00 on 23 April.
Two cards will be issued, corresponding to two separate pools.

Transport to the venue 

Journalists wishing to travel to Agia Napa on 23 April must make a request by sending an email to [email protected],  indicating their pick-up location. 

The Cyprus Presidency will also provide buses to transport journalists from Larnaka to the press centre in Lefkosia on 23 and 24 April. Journalists interested in using this service should register at [email protected].  

Pick-up points: Thursday 23 April 2026

From Lefkosia to Agia Napa Marina: 

• Seep Meeting Point: Departure at 13:45
• Cleopatra Hotel: Departure at 13:55
• Landmark Hotel: Departure at 14:10          
• Filoxenia Conference Centre: Departure at 14:25

From Larnaka to Agia Napa Marina:

• Foinikoudes Beach :Departure at 14:30
• Radisson Blu Hotel: Departure at 14:40                
• Golden Bay Hotel: Departure at 15:00      
• Larnaka Airport: Departure from the bus parking lot at 15:40. (Journalists may proceed to the Info Point 2 at the airport, immediately after clearing customs, to receive the necessary guidance)

From Larnaka to Lefkosia Press Centre: 

• Foinikoudes Beach: Departure at 15:30

Agia Napa:
Parking at WaterWorld Waterpark will be available for participants arriving by private vehicle.  Minibuses will operate at intervals of 15–20 minutes (from 15:00 until 24:00) to transfer participants from the above-mentioned parking to the entrance of the Agia Napa Press Centre.   

Returns: Thursday 23 April 2026

• From Agia Napa Marina to Lefkosia (Filoxenia Conference Centre – Landmark Hotel – Cleopatra Hotel – Seep Meeting Point): Departures 19:30, 22:00, 24:00
• From Agia Napa Marina to Larnaka (Agia Napa Marina – Golden Bay – Radisson Blue – Foinikoudes Beach): Departures at 19:30-20:30, 22:00, 23:30-24:00
• From Lefkosia Press Centre to Larnaka (Foinikoudes Beach): Departure 23:00

Pick-up points: Friday 24 April 2026

From Larnaka to Filoxenia Conference Centre: 
• Foinikoudes Beach: Departure 05:30

From Lefkosia to Filoxenia Conference Centre: 
• Hilton Hotel: Departure at 05:20
• Seep Meeting Point: Departure at 05:40
• Cleopatra Hotel: Departure at 06:00         
• Landmark Hotel: Departure at 06:20   

Returns: Friday 24 April 2026

From Lefkosia to Larnaka
• Press Centre to Foinikoudes Beach and Larnaka Airport: Departure 17:30

From Lefkosia Press Centre to Lefkosia
• Press Centre to Landmark Hotel, Cleopatra Hotel, Seep Meeting Point and Hilton Hotel: Departure 17:30

It is noted that the above arrangements are indicative and may be revised depending on final attendance.

Accreditation

All media representatives wishing to cover the meeting are required to obtain accreditation by submitting an application through the Cyprus EU Presidency accreditation platform.

The deadline for the submission of accreditation applications expired on 8 April 2026.  

Read more: The informal meeting of EU heads of state or government of 23–24 April 2026 is held in Cyprus