Cyprus aims to host a Middle East summit during its European Union presidency, bringing together EU leaders and regional counterparts including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President Nikos Christodoulides announced.
The summit, scheduled for 23 April 2026 in Cyprus, is one of the country’s key objectives during its EU presidency tenure, aimed at strengthening European engagement with the Middle East region.
“We would be pleased to host the Turkish President,” Christodoulides told The Rest is Politics podcast when asked whether Erdogan would be among the invitees.
The Cypriot leader said the EU maintains insufficient presence in the Middle East region, making enhanced European engagement a priority objective for the presidency.
Regional participation planned
Cyprus intends to seat regional leaders alongside the 27 EU heads of state and government. Planned participants include representatives from Egypt, Jordan, Gulf states and India.
Christodoulides explained the strategic rationale behind engaging Turkey: “I prefer to have a neighbour that is close to the EU instead of a neighbour that follows other dangerous paths.”
The president emphasised that Turkey’s participation depends on meeting specific obligations, both Cyprus-related and broader commitments.
“It depends exclusively on Turkey, if it proceeds with those obligations, Cyprus-related and others. And within this framework naturally Mr Erdogan will be welcome at this Council to discuss developments in the region, I repeat as an initiative of the Republic of Cyprus,” Christodoulides stated.
Presidency preparations
Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna briefed Christodoulides during his visit to the EU presidency secretariat offices, noting the visit coincided with the final six months before Cyprus assumes the presidency.
Raouna reported completion of the official presidency calendar and ongoing consultations regarding the six-month programme priorities. Preparations for meeting venues are at an advanced stage, including the Filoxenia Conference Centre for high-level meetings and the press centre.
Strategic objectives
Christodoulides described the EU presidency as “a national mission” serving Cyprus’s strategic goal of maintaining credible and strong presence within the European Union.
“The assumption of the Council of the European Union presidency constitutes a unique opportunity for our homeland,” he said, emphasising the chance to demonstrate Cyprus’s role as a reliable and beneficial partner in the European family.
The president highlighted Cyprus’s geographical significance in a region of strategic importance to the EU, where developments directly affect European security, stability and economic interests.
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