‘UCY’s expertise will be utilised’ when Cyprus holds EU presidency

The University of Cyprus’ expertise “will be utilised” when Cyprus holds the European Council’s rotating presidency in 2026, European Affairs Deputy Minister Marilena Raouna said on Tuesday.

Speaking after a meeting with the university rector Tasos Christofides, she stressed the “importance” of involving young people in European Union issues.

“In view of our forthcoming presidency, we discussed with the rector exactly how the university and its students will be involved, both during our preparations and during the six-month period in which we will hold the presidency,” she said.

In this regard, she said there will be a “series of events” planned, with liaison officers set to be appointed and utilised to facilitate the university’s involvement and the utilisation of its “expertise”.

Christofides said after the meeting that he had “assured [Raouna] that we are at her disposal, with all the resources and all the know-how of our human resources, our students, to the extent possible.”

This, he said, will be done “so that Cyprus’ presidency of the European Council is an excellent presidency which will reaffirm us as European citizens, that we are indeed Cypriot citizens, but above all European citizens, and we think of the good of the European Union.”

He added that further meetings will take place in the coming months to “make concrete” the university’s role leading up to and during Cyprus’ presidency.

“All the preliminary work will be done to allow the university to make a really positive contribution to Cyprus’ presidency of the European Council,” he said.

Cyprus will hold the European Council’s rotating presidency during the first half of 2026. This will be the second time Cyprus has held the European Council’s rotating presidency, the first time having been in the second half of 2012.