European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and the leaders of the Parliament’s political groups will travel to Nicosia on 1–2 December, as Cyprus

readies itself to assume the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 January 2026.

During the two-day visit, the delegation will meet President Nikos Christodoulides and members of the Cypriot Council of Ministers at the Presidential Palace. Talks are also scheduled with Annita Demetriou, President of the House of Representatives, as well as parliamentary party leaders and representatives.

Cyprus will steer the Council’s agenda for six months, taking over from Denmark and passing the baton to Ireland in July 2026. The visit forms part of the traditional consultations held between the incoming Presidency and the European Parliament’s Conference of Presidents — the body that coordinates the Parliament’s political work and includes the EP President, political group leaders and a representative of non-attached MEPs.

“Cyprus takes the EU’s steering wheel at a time of rapid change and rising expectations,” Metsola said ahead of the visit. “From cutting red tape for businesses to enlargement and addressing migration challenges, Europe is on the move — and Cyprus will help drive that momentum. I look forward to working closely with President Christodoulides and the Cypriot Presidency. This visit is proof of that.”

Metsola and Christodoulides will address the press at 19:25 local time on Monday, with the briefing streamed live via the European Parliament’s multimedia platform and EBS. On Tuesday morning, Metsola will join President Christodoulides in a public dialogue with students.

The Conference of Presidents regularly travels to the next country set to hold the rotating Presidency, aiming to align priorities early and ensure coordinated action during the six-month term. Photo by © European Union, 2025, Wikimedia commons.