Term of the Ministry of European Affairs in Cyprus Extended until 2026

The Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cyprus decided to extend the operation period of the Ministry of European Affairs until 31 December 2026. This decision, taken at the last meeting of the Council of Ministers, was urgently sent to the Parliament to initiate the relevant legislative process and for approval before 31 July, when the institution's term of office expires. The continuation of the Ministry's activities is of great importance to ensure that the experience and institutional memory Cyprus has gained vis-à-vis the European Union are not lost.

Since the Cyprus Parliament will enter its summer recess after the special session on 15 July condemning the coup and the Turkish intervention, the legislature needs to take up this matter urgently on its agenda. In this context, the Ministry has made the necessary initiatives for the issue to be discussed in one of the last meetings of the legislative body and for the legal procedures to be completed on time. Clarifying this issue before the Parliament goes on summer recess is imperative to prevent an administrative vacuum.

According to the statements of the President of Cyprus, the government plans to make the Ministry of European Affairs and European units in other ministries permanent in order to preserve the accumulation and technocratic knowledge Cyprus gained during its EU Term Presidency. It was emphasized that the Europeanization process is not only a foreign policy issue but also an internal policy issue directly affecting the daily life of the citizen, and the strategic importance of the Ministry was recalled. The current extension of the Ministry's term is a temporary step taken for future legal regulations and institutionalization.

Minister of European Affairs Marilena Raouna stated that the Ministry will continue its activities as a coordination center, ending speculations that the institution would be closed. Raouna stated that she does not agree with the view that small states are more resistant to major pressures, and that Cyprus diplomacy exhibits a quite resilient structure against such pressures. Furthermore, she expressed that Cyprus's experience stemming from having occupied territory within EU borders contributes significantly to the perspective gained on the Ukraine war and European security architecture.

Finally, this decision has also eliminated cabinet reshuffle scenarios that Marilena Raouna would be assigned to another post. With the extension of the Ministry's term, Raouna continues her duty and is kept out of the expected change list against any possibility. This development reflects the government's political will for stability on European issues and preserving the current team.