Preparations of the Republic of Cyprus for assuming, in less than three months and for the second time, the Presidency of the Council of the European Union are reaching their peak, according to Ms. Stella Michail, Press Spokesperson in Nicosia for the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026, speaking to “Entrepreneurial Limassol”. Ms. Michail stressed that the Presidency represents a landmark moment for member states, and that Cyprus is preparing at all levels to play an effective role, acting as an honest mediator among European partners and promoting policies for the benefit of citizens.
According to the Spokesperson, important organizational issues concerning the hosting of participants in the approximately 260 informal meetings to be held in Cyprus have already been finalised. “These include infrastructure projects, securing equipment for meetings, interpretation arrangements, transport, hospitality, and even gifts. At the political level, the draft of the Six-Month Work Programme has been completed, shaped through broad consultation with social partners. At the same time, preparations are underway for the key files that the Cyprus Presidency will handle, such as the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework,” she noted.
Regarding thematic priorities, Ms. Michail pointed out that emphasis will be placed on issues that constitute major challenges for the European Union, as well as on matters that directly affect citizens and their daily lives. “The key priorities of the Cyprus Presidency include strengthening security and defense, migration, competitiveness with emphasis on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, EU enlargement, housing, and the security and resilience of water resources,” she underlined.
She further added that the EU’s security and stability are inextricably linked with the security and stability of the wider region, while the need for the Union’s strategic autonomy is becoming increasingly urgent. “For this reason, during the Cyprus Presidency a key priority will be strengthening the EU’s relations with the Middle East and the Gulf countries,” she said.
With regard to Limassol’s role in the planning, the Spokesperson highlighted that from the very beginning the goal was the geographical distribution of meetings across the free areas of Cyprus. “For two main reasons: firstly, the Presidency of the EU Council is an opportunity to showcase our country and its positive characteristics; secondly, distributing the meetings brings significant benefits to local communities.”
According to her, it is estimated that participants will reach 28,000, with needs in accommodation, catering, conference venues, excursion packages, and transport, generating strong economic activity. In Limassol, as in other districts except Nicosia, about 33 meetings will be hosted, while “it is very likely that there will also be a high-level meeting in the district,” she noted. Ms. Michail emphasized that Limassol is one of the most important economic centers of Cyprus, with tremendous potential for the business community. The Presidency semester, she stressed, will serve as a springboard for further showcasing this potential. In particular, shipping will be at the forefront of an Informal Ministerial Meeting to be held in April 2026. “Through this, Cyprus’s leading role in the shipping sector will be highlighted, and consequently Limassol’s role as a major shipping hub,” she stated.
She also pointed out that the informal meetings to be held in Limassol will provide an opportunity to highlight the cultural elements of the city and the district. Their implementation, she added, requires close cooperation with local stakeholders, as is the case for every district. Already, there is cooperation and coordination with municipalities for organizing cultural events, as well as for utilizing spaces that were created or upgraded with European funds.
As for opportunities to promote Cypriot – and particularly Limassol’s – cultural heritage and tourism product, the Spokesperson noted that excursion programmes have been designed so that delegates can get to know the local traditions and history throughout free Cyprus. “In Limassol, the points of visit include, among others, the city’s historic center, the archaeological site of Kourion, Kolossi Castle, as well as villages such as Omodos and Platres,” she underlined.
In conclusion, Ms. Michail stressed that the meetings to be held in Limassol imply high-quality hospitality services, provided by an extensive network of hotels, conference venues, restaurants, and other supporting infrastructure. “This will have a multiplier benefit for the district and the business community,” she concluded.
It is worth noting that the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry has requested that the events it is planning for 2026 be held under the auspices of the Cypriot Presidency. Finally, as Limassol Mayor Mr. Yiannis Armeftis recently mentioned, the facilities to be used for the Presidency in Limassol include the DP World passenger terminal at Limassol Port.
