**Costa Praises Cyprus’ ‘Tireless Effort’ During EU Council Presidency Term**
European Council President Antonio Costa commended the significant contributions of Cyprus and its President, Nikos Christodoulides, during the island's recent six-month tenure as the holder of the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. His remarks were made during an evaluation of the progress achieved on various EU priorities in recent months.
Costa highlighted the advancements made regarding the multiannual financial framework, which outlines the EU’s budget for the period from 2028 to 2034. He noted that Cyprus had submitted a budget proposal last week and indicated that member states were beginning to reach consensus on various aspects of it. "We are one step closer to a new European budget that meets our ambitions," Costa stated, underscoring the importance of this development.
In addition to budget discussions, Costa pointed out that negotiations for Ukraine's accession to the EU commenced this week, marking what he described as a "historic milestone on Ukraine’s path towards the European Union." He emphasized that the unity among member states has been crucial in these discussions, attributing much of this collaborative spirit to the "tireless efforts" of President Christodoulides and the Cypriot presidency, which worked closely with both the European Parliament and the European Commission.
During his address, Costa also touched upon the topic of EU enlargement, which was a priority for Cyprus during its presidency. He humorously remarked that the main challenge was the prospect of waiting another 17 years for another Cypriot presidency, highlighting the importance of this issue for the island.
The conversation took a turn when Costa was questioned about reports concerning communication with Russia, confirming that one of his senior aides had indeed opened a channel with Moscow. He defended this decision, emphasizing that the interests of the European Union must be safeguarded in accordance with established treaties. Costa stated, "I do not see any contradiction, nor any competition between different actors" regarding the situation in Ukraine.
He reiterated that the EU does not intend to act as mediators between Russia and Ukraine, echoing sentiments expressed by the EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, during a recent informal foreign ministers’ summit in Limassol. Kallas had asserted that Europe would not serve as a neutral mediator, given its commitment to supporting Ukraine and defending its own security interests.
However, Costa's outreach to Russia did not sit well with all EU leaders. Reports indicated that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron were not particularly enthusiastic about the move. Macron acknowledged Costa's potential role in Ukraine's future but asserted that he could not represent EU member states on matters concerning security guarantees.
As the EU continues to navigate complex geopolitical challenges, Costa's remarks and the recognition of Cyprus' efforts during its presidency reflect the ongoing commitment to unity and collaborative progress among member states. The coming months will likely reveal how these developments will influence the EU's strategic direction, particularly regarding enlargement and relations with neighboring countries.