President Nikos Christodoulides departs on Thursday for Belgrade and Podgorica, beginning a series of foreign visits in preparation for Cyprus taking over the European Union Council presidency in the first half of 2026.
Christodoulides will meet Serbian President Aleksandar Aleksandar Vučić at the Palace of Serbia in Belgrade on Friday morning for private talks followed by expanded discussions between the delegations of both countries and a working lunch.
Later on Friday, the President will travel to Montenegro for private talks with President Jakov Milatović, followed by expanded discussions between the Cypriot and Montenegrin delegations.
The working visits to Serbia and Montenegro mark the beginning of a series of foreign trips as part of Cyprus’s preparations for its upcoming EU Council presidency, according to a statement from the president’s office.
Discussions will focus on the European agenda and Cyprus’s presidency priorities, the situation in the Middle East and Ukraine, developments in the Cyprus issue, and matters of bilateral interest.
Christodoulides will be accompanied by Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna, the Director of the President’s Diplomatic Office Doros Venezis, Deputy Government Spokesman Yannis Antoniou, and other officials.
Following his visit to Montenegro on the evening of April 25, the president will travel to the Vatican to attend Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday, April 26.
Christodoulides and his delegation will return to Cyprus on Saturday afternoon.
