**EU’s Costa to Visit Cyprus Next Friday**
European Council President Antonio Costa is scheduled to visit Cyprus next Friday as part of his initiative known as the “tour des capitales.” This tour involves visits to the capital cities of all 27 member states of the European Union. The primary objective of these visits is to engage directly with EU leaders to understand their priorities and concerns, thereby strengthening cooperation across the union.
According to a statement from the European Council, the visits are strategically timed to coincide with the beginning of the political season. This timing is intended to help set the agenda for the upcoming months and ensure that the work of the European Council is aligned with the realities and aspirations of member states.
During his visit to Cyprus, Costa is expected to meet with President Nikos Christodoulides. Following his engagement in Cyprus, he will continue his tour with a meeting with Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa in Ljubljana later the same day.
In anticipation of his discussions with European leaders, Costa has highlighted several key topics that will be on the agenda, including defense, competitiveness, enlargement, and support for Ukraine. He emphasized that the EU's next long-term budget will be a significant focus of his discussions. This budget, known as the multiannual financial framework, will cover the years 2028 to 2034. Negotiations regarding this budget are expected to commence next week, with the aim of finalizing it by the end of the year.
While the specific motivations for the timing of these discussions have not been publicly confirmed by any officials, there is a prevailing understanding that the EU and its member states are keen to finalize the budget before the upcoming elections in France and Poland. These elections pose a potential risk, as the rise of far-right political parties in both countries could jeopardize the EU's efforts to reach a consensus on the budget.
In June, following Cyprus' six-month term as the holder of the Council of the EU's rotating presidency, Costa remarked on the progress made regarding the EU budget. He noted that Cyprus had submitted a budget proposal and that there was growing consensus among member states on various aspects of it. Costa expressed optimism, stating that the EU was “one step closer to a new European budget … that meets our ambitions.”
As Costa embarks on this tour, his visit to Cyprus will serve as a critical opportunity to engage with local leadership and address pressing issues facing the EU. The outcomes of these discussions are likely to influence the direction of EU policy and budgetary priorities in the coming years.