According to its priorities presented on Sunday 21 December, Cyprus, which has held the Council of the European Union’s rotating Presidency since Thursday 1 January, should support the EU’s efforts to combat cross-border crime. The Cyprus Presidency is ready to launch negotiations on the next proposals relating to the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation, Eurojust, and the European Investigation Order.
The fight against impunity, particularly for crimes committed in the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, also remains a priority.
Civil justice cooperation. The Cyprus Presidency aims to conclude negotiations on the European Commission’s December 2022 proposal (see EUROPE 13079/9) to ensure that parenthood recognised in one Member State is automatically valid throughout the EU - a sensitive issue within the EU Council (see EUROPE 13599/14) - and to reach a ‘General approach’ regarding the regulation on the protection of vulnerable adults (see EUROPE 13658/1).
Fundamental rights. The Cyprus Presidency also plans to focus its work on the EU’s accession to the European Convention on Human Rights.
In addition, it wants to discuss the results of the mid-term review of the strategy to strengthen the Charter of Fundamental Rights’ application, with a view to adopting the EU Council’s conclusions.
Acknowledging the importance of inclusion and the fight against all forms of discrimination, the Cyprus Presidency pledges its support for the European Union’s future strategy against racism, expected in mid-January.
As for the rights of people with disabilities, a high-level conference on inclusion and empowerment and a meeting of the Disability Platform are scheduled for May 2026.
Gender equality. Cyprus wants to keep this issue on the EU Council’s agenda, working in particular on the fight against online violence targeting girls aged 13 to 18.
The Presidency will also organise a high-level event in Brussels in March 2026 on the future 2026-2030 European strategy for equality between women and men.
Finally, as part of negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF 2028-2034), the Cyprus Presidency should ensure that the relevant funding instruments support the EU’s priorities regarding justice.
To see the priorities: https://aeur.eu/f/k4d (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)