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BackOn 1 January 2026, Cyprus took over the EU Council Presidency from Denmark. Cyprus has been a member of the EU since 2004 and is holding the Council Presidency for the second time this year, following 2012. Under the motto 'An autonomous union. Open to the world', Cyprus has set out its priorities for the next six months, aiming to address major and diverse geopolitical challenges with strength and unity.
With the Cypriot Presidency, the baton was passed at the turn of the year to the third and final country in the Presidency trio of Poland, Denmark and Cyprus. In its Presidency programme, Cyprus points out that Europe has also experienced complex and existential crises in the past, from which it has emerged stronger and with new impetus for development. Cyprus sees its core task as further developing an autonomous EU that cooperates with external partners but can also act independently when necessary. Cyprus also emphasises that this must be a Europe without divisions. As expected by the Council Presidency, Cyprus will assume the role of a responsible and honest mediator in the coming six months. It should be borne in mind that the challenges for a small Member State with limited capacities are all the greater.
Social cohesion as one of the five priorities of the programme
The Presidency programme highlights five priority areas at the outset: (1) security, defence readiness and preparedness, (2) competitiveness, (3) the EU as an open, global actor in the world, (4) European values and social cohesion, and (5) the multiannual financial framework as a strategic roadmap. The social dimension is thus anchored as one of the five priorities. It states, for example, that a truly autonomous Europe depends on strong social cohesion, leaving no person or region behind.
The other priorities also address key policy issues. For example, it states that water resilience has become a crucial aspect of security and crisis prevention. It also highlights the importance of secure energy supplies and affordable and predictable energy prices for industrial competitiveness and citizens' prosperity.
Selected projects in the first half of 2026
The programme lists the European Affordable Housing Plan, the Anti-Poverty Strategy, the implementation of the Child Guarantee, an Action Plan against Cyberbullying, initiatives within the framework of the Union of Skills and the European Health Union as specific projects. It also emphasises support for the full implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights (ESSR). Furthermore, the Presidency programme addresses the EU Commission's planned initiatives and current legislative acts, including the Quality Jobs Roadmap, the Internship Directive, the Fair Labour Mobility Package and the new Action Plan on the EPSR. Unlike the previous Danish presidency, Cyprus also wants to continue the work on the revision of the Regulation on the Coordination of Social Security (Regulation 883).
In the area of consumer protection, the Cypriot Presidency will push for the adoption of Council conclusions on the 2030 Consumer Agenda and bring the negotiations on the revision of Passenger Rights to a conclusion if possible. In transport policy, negotiations on the Roadworthiness Package are to be advanced . On the major issue of green transition, the focus will be on the Council discussion on the announced Circular Economy Act and on Council conclusions on the Bioeconomy Strategy. To implement the Clean Industrial Deal, negotiations on the Industrial Accelerator Act will commence; the corresponding proposal from the EU Commission is now expected at the end of January.
An important focus in the digital field will be the Digital Networks Act, which is to be presented by the Commission in January and is intended to strengthen Europe's digital competitiveness and sovereignty. The Cloud and AI Development Act (CAIDA), greater digital security for young people and the revision of the Cybersecurity Act will be further topics of current interest. Negotiations on the Digital Omnibus are to be continued.
Joint declaration on the EU's legislative priorities for 2026
On 16 December, the EU Parliament, the Council and the EU Commission also published their joint declaration on legislative priorities for the coming year. In it, the EU institutions agreed to give priority to 10 packages, including the proposals presented before Christmas to strengthen energy infrastructure, promote affordable housing and support a competitive automotive industry, the 28th regime for innovative companies, the package on fair labour mobility and the omnibus packages IV to VII.
Further information:
Council: Official website of the Cyprus Presidency
Council: Programme of the Cyprus Presidency
EP/Council/Commission: Joint declaration on the EU's legislative priorities for 2026
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