Philenews

Ursula to Christodoulides: Together we will navigate troubled political waters

Published January 15, 2026, 17:20
Ursula to Christodoulides: Together we will navigate troubled political waters

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, met with the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, in Limassol, as part of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU. Both leaders emphasized the importance of cooperation in troubled political waters and agreed on the priorities of the presidency, including migration, climate change, the SAFE program, water security, the Multiannual Financial Framework, social cohesion, and the Eastern Mediterranean. President Christodoulides expressed Cyprus's readiness for full accession to the Schengen Area, while informing Ms. von der Leyen about efforts to restart negotiations on the Cyprus issue. Ms. von der Leyen announced the creation of a Firefighting Hub in Cyprus and emphasized the EU's increased interest in the Mediterranean.