Cyprus (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Cyprus says it will adopt a new approach to Ukraine’s EU accession talks when it assumes the EU presidency in 2026, focusing on defense and migration.
According to Kombos, Cyprus is among the smallest EU members. Nonetheless, the nation will handle its EU leadership with “a different mindset” and a disciplined, committed approach.
“We believe that small states have a lot to offer in these kind of situations. It’s a very different mindset that one can bring to the table, a different approach. As a small state, we are dedicated. We don’t see the presidency as something we have to do; we want to do it in the best possible way,”
the minister said.
Additionally, Kombos pledged that Ukraine, which has been battling Russian aggression for four years, would continue to be the EU’s first priority. He pointed out that because Cyprus was invaded by Turkey more than 50 years ago, it is well aware of what military combat and occupation entail.
“The agenda is rightly about Ukraine, and it will remain so. But we want to bring into the mix issues relating to the wider Middle East region because we see Cyprus as being part of that region as well,”
he added.
However, given the existence on the island of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, a self-declared entity recognized exclusively by Ankara, there are worries inside the EU that Cyprus could conflict with Turkey during its presidency.
Kombos stated that Nicosia would not obstruct EU-Türkiye collaboration this time, even though Cyprus had previously prevented Turkey from taking part in an EU joint defense purchase program.
“The president has said very publicly that he would like to see President Erdoğan attend the informal council meeting in April. We are not going to use the presidency to raise national issues,”
the minister said.
Support for Ukraine will be one of the top goals of Cyprus’s EU Council presidency, which starts on January 1, according to earlier statements made by Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides.
At a joint news conference with Christodoulides in early December, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Cyprus will succeed Denmark as EU president in the first half of 2026. He said that this may be a crucial time for Ukraine to open up negotiating clusters.
How will Cyprus shape defense discussions during its presidency?
Cyprus, during its EU Council administration from January to June 2026, aims to advance defense conversations by prioritizing strategic autonomy, common procurement under the SAFE program, and EU- NATO collaboration while navigating pressures with Turkey.
Nicosia will promote” Defense Readiness 2030″ enterprise, including rapid-fire perpetration of the EU White Paper on Defense, fastening on capability gaps like air defense and maritime security amid Ukraine and Middle East conflicts.
President Christodoulides proposes a step- by- step approach Cyprus joins NATO’s Partnership for Peace if Turkey lifts blocks on EU- Turkey defense ties and EDA word- sharing, potentially easing SAFE participation but tentative on Cyprus disagreement progress; this positions Cyprus as a middleman using its Eastern Mediterranean part with Greece- Israel trilateral exercises.
