Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU Priorities

Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU Priorities

On 1 January 2025, the Cyprus presidency of the Council of the EU began*, and its priorities and website were published.

During its mandate, the Cyprus presidency will work on the following topics:

• Advancing the negotiations of the proposed Multiannual Financial Framework for the period 2028-2034 (background information on the EU long-term budget available here).
• Fostering the dialogue for fair, inclusive and quality labour market policies in a rapidly changing work landscape, guided by the Quality Jobs Roadmap, and the European Pillar of Social Rights.
• The Cyprus Presidency aims to emphasise collective responsibility in achieving the objectives of the Union of Skills.
• The Cypriot Presidency will therefore support the upcoming European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan and the EU Anti-Poverty Strategy.
• It will also support the European Child Guarantee, by enhancing visibility and advancing initiatives aimed at tackling child poverty, promoting participation in accessible, affordable and high-quality early childhood education and care. Moreover, the Presidency will work towards the adoption of relevant Council Conclusions and a High-level Conference dedicated to children’s wellbeing in May 2026 (more information available here).
• The Presidency will support the second phase of the European Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2021-2030). The Presidency will focus on advancing disability rights, promoting active participation and full inclusion and supporting high-quality, community-based and person-centred services. Moreover, a High-Level Conference on the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities and a Disability Platform meeting are expected in May 2026 (more information available here).
• The Cypriot presidency will promote strengthening Long-Term Care and Active Ageing.
• Gender Equality is also a priority for the Cyprus Presidency, with a strategic focus on combatting cyber violence against girls aged 13 to 18. The Presidency will also actively support and contribute to the implementation of the EU Roadmap for Women’s Rights, and will host a High-level event in March 2026 on the forthcoming European Strategy for Gender Equality 2026-30.
• The presidency will support the implementation of the Affordable Housing Plan and any subsequent Commission initiatives and legislative proposals stemming from it.
• The targeted revision of the EU Regulation on Medical Devices will be advanced during the Cyprus presidency (European Commission proposal for the revised Regulation available here). 
• Moreover, the topic of Mental Health is another priority, discussed in a High-level Conference on Mental health and Inclusion organised by the Cypriot presidency on 27 January. During the conference, it was underlined how Mental health must be treated as a strategic priority for Europe’s social cohesion, resilience and sustainable development. In the Conference, it was agreed that mental health is influenced by employment, education, digitalisation, culture and climate policy, and particular emphasis was placed on community-based approaches in modern mental healthcare. Moreover, it was concluded that people with lived experience and patient associations must participate meaningfully in policymaking.

* Every 6 months, a new Member State has the presidency of the Council of the EU. The Priorities of a Presidency of the Council of the EU are the policy topics that they are interested in including in the agenda of the different meetings between EU ministers, in order to advance the policies’ legislative process and to reach common positions. The individual presidency’s priorities are also in line with the trio of presidencies’ priorities – the presidencies of the Council of the EU are grouped in groups of three presidencies, who establish priorities for the year and a half that the trio lasts in order to ensure continuity in their work. The current trio of presidencies is formed by Poland, Denmark and Cyprus, and their trio of presidencies’ priorities are available here.

Cyprus Presidency’s Priorities available here.

Cyprus Presidency Programme available here.

Cyprus Presidency Events available here.