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Live: The Moment of the Cypriot Presidency of the EU - Grand Inauguration Ceremony in Nicosia with Heads of State

Published January 7, 2026, 12:23
Live: The Moment of the Cypriot Presidency of the EU - Grand Inauguration Ceremony in Nicosia with Heads of State

Today marks the official commencement of Cyprus's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, with a grand inauguration ceremony in Nicosia attended by leading European and international officials, including the heads of Ukraine, Moldova, Lebanon, and Iraq, as well as representatives from Arab and Gulf countries. The ceremony features speeches and a multi-layered artistic performance directed by Kostas Silvestros, which, through three acts titled “Memory – Present – Future,” narrates Cyprus's historical journey and highlights its culture as an integral part of European culture. Cyprus will hold the Presidency from January 1st to June 30th, 2026, for the second time. The Presidency of the Council of the EU is held in rotation by member states for a period of six months, with each country taking on the role approximately every 13.5 years, ensuring continuity and smooth functioning of the Union. States cooperate in “Presidency trios,” an institution established by the Lisbon Treaty, defining a common 18-month agenda. The current trio consists of Poland, Denmark, and Cyprus. Under the motto “An Autonomous Union – Open to the World,” the Cypriot Presidency sets its central goal as strengthening European autonomy as the next step in European integration.