**Christodoulides to Meet Costa with EU Budget and Cyprus Problem in Focus**
President Nikos Christodoulides is scheduled to meet with European Council President Antonio Costa at the presidential palace in Nicosia on Friday morning. The discussions are anticipated to center around two significant topics: the European Union’s upcoming long-term budget and the ongoing Cyprus problem.
Costa is expected to arrive at the presidential palace at 9:00 AM as part of his tour of EU member state capitals. The meeting will begin with a private session between the two leaders, followed by expanded discussions that will include their respective delegations. A press conference is set to take place at 10:35 AM, where both presidents will address the media.
Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis highlighted the importance of this meeting, stating that it comes at a crucial time for the European Union and amid renewed efforts to restart substantive negotiations regarding the Cyprus issue. The discussions will primarily focus on the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework for the period of 2028-2034.
Letymbiotis noted that during Cyprus's presidency of the EU, significant progress was made, laying the groundwork for the final phase of political negotiations aimed at reaching an agreement by the end of 2026. He emphasized that Cyprus would approach the talks with “specific positions and clear demands,” advocating for a comprehensive and equitable EU budget that addresses emerging challenges such as security and competitiveness, while also acknowledging the unique needs of small island states like Cyprus.
In addition to the budget discussions, Nicosia is particularly focused on ensuring the protection of national allocations under the EU's cohesion policy, the Common Agricultural Policy, and funding related to migration. The agenda will also encompass broader topics such as EU enlargement, competitiveness, migration issues, and the current geopolitical developments in Ukraine, the Middle East, and the Gulf region.
During the meeting, President Christodoulides is expected to provide an update to Costa on the latest developments concerning the Cyprus problem. This includes recent efforts to resume substantive negotiations and the implications of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's recent visit to Cyprus. Increased involvement from the EU, particularly through the appointment of European Commission Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto as the EU’s special envoy for the Cyprus issue, will also be a point of discussion.
Letymbiotis remarked that Friday’s meeting presents a valuable opportunity for in-depth discussions on significant European matters, as well as issues that are of particular importance to Cyprus. The outcomes of this meeting could potentially influence the direction of both the EU’s financial planning and the ongoing negotiations concerning the reunification of Cyprus.
As the meeting approaches, there is a sense of anticipation regarding the potential advancements in both the EU budget discussions and the resolution of the Cyprus problem, which has been a longstanding issue in regional politics. The engagement of high-level officials like Costa and Christodoulides underscores the importance of collaboration and dialogue in addressing these critical challenges facing both Cyprus and the wider European Union.