Cyprus EU Presidency

Last updated on Thursday, 22/01/2026

From 1st January to 30th June 2026, Cyprus holds the EU Council Presidency under the motto: “An Autonomous Union. Open to the World", highlighting resilience and global cooperation.

Youth, Education, Culture and Sport Priorities
The Presidency will advance youth-friendly policies to foster trust and active participation among young people. It will emphasise skills development for all, support for educators, and enhancements to vocational and higher education in alignment with the European Education Area, alongside promoting learning mobility, citizenship education, and inclusive approaches to lifelong learning and social inclusion. In the context of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the Presidency will drive Erasmus+ negotiations with a focus on inclusiveness and wider international outreach. Efforts will also protect cultural rights and heritage, including measures against illicit trafficking of cultural goods, while promoting sport tourism, active ageing, mental health, and integrity in sports governance.

EU Youth Dialogue and Conference
Cyprus concludes the Poland–Denmark–Cyprus Trio Programme (18 months) for the 11th Cycle of the EU Youth Dialogue under Youth Goal #1: “Connecting EU with Youth.” The focus during this semester lies in implementation: evaluating the cycle and translating youth contributions into policy recommendations to enhance participation and trust in EU institutions. 
From 17 to 20 March 2026, Lefkosia (Nicosia) will host the EU Youth Conference. Youth delegates, policymakers, institutional representatives, and experts will collaborate through eight workshops to develop proposals for more youth-friendly, accessible, and transparent public policies. The resulting recommendations will inform a Council Resolution concluding the 11th cycle and contribute to revising the EU Youth Strategy Work Plan for 2025–2027.

Check the Cyprus EU Presidency priorities.