Venue: Thon Hotel EU - Rue de la Loi 75, 1000 Bruxelles

In January 2026, Cyprus will assume the Presidency of the Council of the EU for the second time since joining the Union in 2004. The Cyprus Presidency will begin amid mounting challenges for Europe: instability in the Middle East persists, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine nears its fourth year, security threats are increasing, transatlantic unity is under strain and the EU27 aim to strengthen their collective competitiveness in an increasingly demanding geo-economic environment.

Building on the work of the outgoing Danish Presidency and responding to these pressures, security and defence are expected to remain high on the EU’s agenda. Advancing enlargement, reaching consensus on migration policy and steering thorny negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) will also require close attention – particularly as Europe’s fiscal conditions worsen and the European model comes under strain from global trade fragmentation.

In this in-person Breakfast Briefing, the Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the EU, Ambassador Christina Rafti, will outline the priorities of the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Following her presentation, she will take part in a Q&A session chaired by Janis A. Emmanouilidis, Deputy Chief Executive & Director of Studies at the European Policy Centre.

This event welcomes the participation of EPC member organisations, EU institutions and media. For questions, please contact media@epc.eu.