Cyprus takes over the EU Council Presidency

For its six-month term of office, the Cyprus Council Presidency has chosen the motto "An Autonomous Union. Open to the World." has chosen. Five overarching pillars are at the centre:

1. Autonomy through security
2. Defence readiness and preparedness
3. Autonomy through competitiveness
4. Openness to the world - autonomous; an autonomous union of values that leaves no one behind
5. Long-term budget for an autonomous Union

Priorities in the EU youth dialogue: Youth Goal 1 "Connecting EU with Youth"

In the EU Youth Dialogue, Cyprus continues to focus on EU Youth Goal 1 "Connecting EU with Youth". Two sub-goals are particularly in focus

• 1.6 - Strengthen young people's trust in the EU project, including by reducing democratic deficits, lack of transparency and visibility;

• 1.7 - institutionalise the assessment of the youth-friendliness, impact and effects of EU policies.

The "youth friendliness" of political decisions at national and European level is also emphasised as a separate focus of the Cypriot Council Presidency - i.e. the question of whether and how, for example, laws are designed to be youth-friendly and their impact on young people is reviewed.

EU Youth Conference and key dates in Cyprus

The EU Youth Conference will take place in Nicosia from 17 to 20 March 2026 under the Cypriot Presidency. Parallel events include a Director General Youth Meeting (19-20 March 2026, Nicosia) and a Youth Policy Dialogue on 19 March 2026 in Ayia Napa.

Long-term EU budget in view: Negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework

A central pillar of the Council Presidency is a "long-term budget for an Autonomous Union" - and thus setting the course for the long-term EU budget and the upcoming budget debates. This is particularly relevant politically, as it will determine what financial leeway will be available in the future, including for EU youth policy and programmes such as Erasmus+.