On 1 January 2026, Cyprus assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, where it will guide the EU through six months of complex geopolitical challenges.

Against a backdrop of global insecurity, hybrid threats, migration pressures, and climate-related crises, the Cyprus Presidency has placed autonomy, resilience and preparedness at the centre of its agenda.

Cyprus Presidency Priorities

The Presidency emphasises European autonomy through security and preparedness, economic and digital competitiveness, global engagement, social cohesion and robust financing.  

It highlights the importance of a democratic, rules-based approach to international relations, and highlights the need to strengthening the EU’s capacity to act independently while maintaining strategic partnerships globally.

Key priorities include:

• Security and preparedness: advancing democratic resilience, civil protections, and building effective migration management.
• Economic and digital competitiveness: promoting sustainable growth, energy and water security, as well as digital sovereignty and leadership.
• Global engagement: deepening cooperation with the Southern Neighbourhood, Gulf states, transatlantic partners, and EU candidate countries, as well as advancing EU enlargement and regional stability. Promoting an open Union and reinforcing global partnerships under a coherent strategic approach;
• Social cohesion: upholding a Union of values that leaves no one behind; focussing on fundamental rights including housing and children’s rights.  
• Robust financing: ensuring adequate financing for common European objectives, particularly in the context of the future Multiannual Financial Framework.

Civilian Crisis Management in Focus

Inherent in the Cyprus Presidency priorities is a recognition that security is multidimensional.  

Civilian crisis management is central to sustaining peace and stability in conjunction with traditional security measures. By prioritising civil protection, disaster preparedness, migration management, and democratic resilience, Cyprus is strengthening Europe’s ability to respond to the interconnected threats it faces, from hybrid attacks and energy vulnerabilities to climate-driven disasters.  

Some specific elements of the Presidency’s priorities that are of relevance to civilian crisis management include:  

• Critical infrastructure resilience, hybrid threats and civil defence;
• Cross-border crime, border management and maritime security;
• Cultural heritage protection;
• Gender equality, Women, Peace and Security and civilian participation;
• Civilian capabilities, innovation and digital preparedness.  

The CoE’s Role

The CoE’s work in EU civilian CSDP supports Cyprus’ Presidency priorities by:

• Offering expertise and support to implement the Civilian CSDP Compact, resulting in a safer and more secure EU;
• Supporting members’ contributions to EU civilian CSDP missions;
• Promoting cooperation with EU Member States by the sharing of good practices and by offeringa platform for exchange.  

Through these efforts, the CoE contributes to the Cyprus Presidency’s vision of a stronger, more resilient and autonomous Europe, ensuring civilian capabilities are fully integrated into security and crisis management strategies.