The Deputy Minister of European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, informed on Monday the Representative of the Maronite religious group in the House of Representatives, Yiannakis Moussa, on preparations for Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2026, which, she said, are progressing at a fast pace.

Raouna briefed Moussa on the progress of preparations for the Cyprus Presidency and the two exchanged views on how the Maronite community could be involved in the Presidency.

She stated that the preparations are progressing at a fast pace by the Secretariat of the Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council, in close cooperation and coordination with all Ministries and Deputy Ministries, both at the organisational and policy levels. She also highlighted that, as part of the development of the Cyprus Presidency’s semester programme, an expanded consultation with social and political partners will take place in 2025.

During the discussion with Moussa, special emphasis was placed on the importance and ways of involving the Maronite community in the Presidency, both in the context of the cultural programme and with the participation of young volunteer members during the Presidency.

The Deputy Minister also discussed with the Maronites’ Representative in Parliament political issues that the Cyprus Presidency aims to highlight, such as human rights, migration, and social issues, as well as the emphasis the Cyprus Presidency seeks to place on strengthening EU relations with the broader region of Cyprus.

Both sides exchanged proposals and views and agreed on specific actions for further cooperation, both during the preparation stage and during the Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2026.