site.btaCyprus Ambassador Kafkaridis: Autonomy And Openness Lead Cypriot EU Council Presidency Agenda

Autonomy and openness to the world were the main messages of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Cyprus’s Ambassador to Bulgaria Haralambos Kafkaridis told a Euroclub meeting in Sofia on Tuesday.

Kafkaridis presented Cyprus’s priorities for the next six months at the Euroclub at the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where participants also reviewed the results of the Danish Presidency.

Kafkaridis said the times were challenging not only in Europe but worldwide, citing migration, the war in Gaza and Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, and adding that recent developments in Venezuela had created additional challenges.

He described autonomy as multi-layered, spanning security, defence, the economy, energy, trade, competitiveness, and digital and social connectivity.

Kafkaridis added that Europe needed to rethink its future, noting that this was expected of it as a leader, and argued that the EU remained a leading force, a stable and predictable global partner, and a supporter of multilateralism and the rule of law.

He noted that autonomy did not mean isolation and that the EU should remain open to the world, pursuing self-reliance while coordinating with the bloc’s international partners whenever possible.

Kafkaridis said the goal was a strong EU that put Europe first while also cooperating to build a better future for the whole world.

Based on these principles, he said, the Cypriot Presidency would rest on five pillars: security, defence and preparedness; competitiveness; openness to the world; a Union of values in which no one would be left behind; and the long-term budget.

On the first pillar, Kafkaridis outlined eight priorities: steadfast support for Ukraine; faster progress on adopting the White Paper on European Defence, the defence readiness roadmap and the Union Preparedness Strategy; stronger transatlantic relations; economic security; enhanced maritime security; implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum; and a focus on safeguarding democracy.

On the second pillar, competitiveness, he said the six priorities were simplifying regulation, deepening the single market, promoting investment, capital markets, and financial autonomy, strengthening energy security, advancing trans-regional connectivity, and pursuing the green and digital transitions.

On the third pillar, openness to the world, Kafkaridis said Cyprus would prioritize EU enlargement as a strategic investment, maintain broad support for Ukraine, expand engagement with neighbouring regions, deepen ties with the Middle East, the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean, strengthen transatlantic contacts as well as links with the United Kingdom and other like-minded countries, and promote open, rules-based trade and multilateralism.

On the fourth pillar, values and social support, he said the goals included ensuring affordable housing, safeguarding children’s rights, advancing gender equality, supporting fair and inclusive employment, building a more resilient health system, and strengthening mental health support.

On the fifth pillar, the EU’s long-term budget, Kafkaridis said Cyprus would work to move negotiations on the 2028-2034 budget forward so that Ireland, the next country to hold the Council presidency, would inherit a budget process at a very advanced stage.

Kafkaridis also congratulated Bulgaria on joining the eurozone, calling it an important milestone not only for Bulgaria but also for deeper integration across the EU, and he commended Denmark for what he described as a successful presidency.