Cyprus Celebrates EU Council Presidency Achievements at Pretoria Cultural Event
By Anisha Pemjee
29 June 2026
Cyprus assumed the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 January 2026 for a six-month term ending 30 June 2026. Its Presidency is being held under the theme: "An Autonomous Union. Open to the World." As its Presidency draws to a close, High Commissioner of Cyprus to South Africa, Antonis Mandritis hosted a cultural event where he outlined Cyprus’ achievements.
Cyprus took over the Presidency from Denmark, which held the Presidency from 1 July to 31 December 2025. Denmark itself had succeeded Poland, making the three countries the current Presidency Trio. The trio works together on an agreed 18-month programme to ensure continuity in the Council's work rather than each presidency starting from scratch. This is Cyprus's second Presidency, the first having taken place in 2012.
Cyprus will hand over the Presidency on 1 July 2026 to Ireland, which will chair the Council until 31 December 2026. Ireland will begin a new Presidency Trio that continues the EU's legislative programme for the next 18 months.
Mandritis said that during its Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026, Cyprus achieved key legislative and political milestone, focusing heavily on an “Autonomous Europe”. Major results across the EU agenda include:
• EU Budget and Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)
• Asylum and Migration
• Chemical Safety and Single Market
• Health and Biotechnology
• Financial and Customs reform
• Industry and Sustainability
• Security and preparedness
• Economic and digital competitiveness
• 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 - focusing on fundamental rights including housing and children’s rights.
• Robust financing
On strengthening international partnerships, Mandritis reaffirmed Cyprus' commitment to deepening the already strong ties between the European Union and Africa, with particular emphasis on Southern Africa. He noted that, during Cyprus' Presidency of the Council of the European Union, significant progress has been made in advancing the accession processes of Ukraine, Moldova and Montenegro.
About the ongoing conflict, Mandritis said, “The Presidency, together with our partners in the European family, continues to support Ukraine in its efforts to defend its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
“Cyprus understands very well the consequences of foreign aggression, as our country has remained divided since 1974, with the northern part of the island still under occupation. Our dream is to see a free, peaceful, and reunited Cyprus, where all its lawful inhabitants can share a common future founded on the principles, values and freedoms that underpin the European Union.”
He thanked Denmark and Poland, for their close cooperation and shared commitment and wished Ireland every success in assuming the next Presidency.
The evening's cultural programme featured 'The King of the Upside-Down World', an evocative and thought-provoking stage production that seamlessly blended poetry, music and theatrical performance. The work is based on a selection of poems by Yiorgos Kalozois, set to music by Maria Zannetou and directed by Irini Andreou. Sole performer Pavlina Konstantopoulou delivered a captivating and deeply expressive performance, accompanied by the accomplished pianist Rami Sarieddine, whose musical interpretation enriched the production's emotional depth and artistic resonance.
Kalozois’ poetry transcends the boundaries of place, expressing a sense of marginalization, the need for freedom, and the pursuit of self-realization in a world full of contradictions and challenges.
The King of the Upside-Down World is part of the Cultural Programme of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026.
High Commissioner Antonis Mandritis also used the occasion to announce that his tour of duty in South Africa is drawing to a close and expressed gratitude for the friendship and support he received during his tenure.