Cyprus will make every effort to open negotiating clusters with Ukraine during its EU presidency starting January 1 – ambassador

The Republic of Cyprus will make every effort to open negotiating clusters with Ukraine during its presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2026, said the newly appointed ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cyprus to Ukraine, Michalis Firillas.

“Accession to the European Union provides indirect security: economic, social, in terms of democratic norms and values, as well as freedoms for citizens. We will do everything possible during the presidency to open negotiations with Ukraine on the clusters of European legislation,” Firillas said at a meeting with a representative of the “Interfax-Ukraine” agency.

The diplomat stressed that the Cypriot side is cooperating closely on this issue with Denmark and Poland, as well as with European institutions in Brussels. “We want to see progress – this is a common conclusion that unites our Polish and Danish colleagues and all relevant EU structures,” he noted.

The ambassador also stressed that Cyprus clearly supports Ukraine's independence, territorial integrity, sovereignty and its European perspective.

Commenting on the EU decision-making process, Firillas spoke of the importance of preserving the principle of unanimity. “This is the position of many small countries. It is one of the key elements of the political process in Europe – not to hold anyone hostage, but as a mechanism for expressing national interests,” he added.

As of July 1, 2025, the presidency of the EU Council has been held by Denmark, which succeeded Poland; it will last until the end of the year. The presidency will then pass to Cyprus.