Cyprus is ready to actively contribute to Ukraine’s progress on its path to the European Union, President Nikos Christodulidis said in a phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday. On January 1, Cyprus took over the six-monthly rotating presidency of the Council of the EU. The official ceremony at the beginning of the presidency will take place on Wednesday, January 7, and Zelensky will also take part in it. TASR informs about it according to the report of the Cypriot agency CNA.
- Cyprus expresses its support for Ukraine on its way to the EU.
- The presidency of Cyprus in the Council of the EU began on January 1.
- Supporting Ukraine’s security and sovereignty is a key priority.
- Christodulidis emphasized Cyprus’ commitment to international law.
- Volodymyr Zelenskyi praised Cyprus’ efforts for European solidarity.
Christodulidis presented the priorities of his country’s presidency already in December. He wants to focus mainly on an “autonomous EU open to the world”, security and defense, migration and also further support for Ukraine, which he also confirmed in the interview with Zelensky. He said on the X social network that Kiev relies on his “strong decisions” to support Ukraine and Europe during the upcoming six months of the Cyprus presidency.
“President Christodulidis reiterated the firm and long-term commitment of the Republic of Cyprus to support Ukrainians, the sovereignty, independence and free will of Ukraine. He emphasized that this position is based on the values and principles that govern the Republic of Cyprus, which itself is experiencing the tragic consequences of the illegal invasion and ongoing occupation,” the spokesman for the head of state said in a statement.
Support will be crucial during the presidency
Since the invasion of the north of the island by the Turkish army in 1974, Cyprus has been divided into the southern Greek-speaking part, which is administered by an internationally recognized government, and the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is recognized only by Turkey.
In a phone call to Zelensky, Christodulidis said that the support of Ukraine will be a key political priority of Cyprus during the presidency of the Council of the EU. According to him, Cyprus will actively contribute to the progress of Ukraine in the framework of European integration through concrete initiatives and measures, as well as to the protection of the principles of international law.
The Ukrainian president called it important that Ukraine is one of the main priorities of the Cypriot presidency. Its membership in the EU, which has been sought since the Russian invasion in 2022 in the form of an official application, is considered by Zelensky to be one of the necessary security guarantees. He noted that Ukraine is doing everything that is required in this matter.
“I shared the latest information about our contacts with American partners and the overall diplomatic situation. The work to achieve peace is going on practically continuously, there is no room for breaks. I thank Cyprus and all Cypriots for their support. I thank the President for his kind words about Ukrainians and Ukraine!” added Zelenskyi.
