New Cyprus Presidency pushes ahead with negotiations on MFF, Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe
On 1 January 2026, Cyprus took over the six-month rotating EU Council Presidency under the motto ‘An autonomous Union. Open to the world.’ The Council Presidency wants to make significant progress in the negotiations on all legislative proposals for the new multiannual financial framework (MFF) for the period 2028–2034.It intends to present a document ready for negotiation with benchmarks that will serve as a guide for the heads of state and government during the negotiations and, among other things, will give an initial impression of the financial frameworks planned by the EU Member States for Horizon Europe and Erasmus+.
With the work programme presented on 21 December 2025, the Cypriot Presidency is focusing on five priorities: strengthening security, defence readiness and preparedness, promoting competitiveness, openness of the EU to the world, an autonomous Union of values that leaves no one behind, and a long-term EU budget as the basis for an autonomous Union.
The most important topics in the field of higher education include mobility and internationalisation, further training and retraining tailored to the labour market, and the promotion of the Joint European Degree. Within the framework of the new MFF, the Cypriot Presidency will press ahead with negotiations on Erasmus+, strengthening the inclusive nature and international orientation of the programme.
The Presidency will work to promote a balanced research and innovation landscape in the EU that fosters excellence, reduces innovation gaps between Member States and further integrates the internal market. It intends to advance negotiations on the Horizon Europe 2028-2034 programme and to promote support for excellent research, more effective EU funding instruments and the closing of the gap between research and market-ready innovations. Another focus is on international research and innovation partnerships that strengthen science diplomacy in line with the EU Global Gateway and the Strategic Agenda 2024–2029.
Cyprus’ Presidency concludes the 18-month Trio Presidency together with Poland and Denmark, whose programme focuses on three priorities: a strong and secure Europe, a prosperous and competitive Europe, and a free and democratic Europe.
Events in the fields of research and technological development
- 27 February, Brussels, Belgium: Competitiveness Council (Research and Space), Council of the European Union
- 17–20 March, Nicosia, Cyprus: EU Youth Conference, Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth / Youth Council of Cyprus Link
- 30-31 March, Nicosia, Cyprus: Informal Meeting of Research and Innovation Ministers – COMPET Research, Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy
- 14-16 April, Larnaca, Cyprus: European Research Area and Innovation Committee, Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy
- 14–17 April, Larnaca, Cyprus: Informal Working Party on Research – Attaché Trip, Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy
- 20–21 April, Nicosia, Cyprus: European Open Science Cloud Steering Board Meeting & Tripartite Event, Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy
- 29 May, Brussels, Belgium: Competitiveness Council (Research and Space), Council of the European Union
- 21–23 June, Nicosia, Cyprus: European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures, Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and and Digital Policy
Events in the field of higher education
- 23–25 February, Nicosia, Cyprus: 6th International Conference on ‘Literacies and Contemporary Society: From Skills to Practices’ on digital and media literacy, environmental literacy and civic literacy, Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth
- 8–10 March, Nicosia, Cyprus: Bologna Follow-Up Group, Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth
- 6–8 May, Nicosia, Cyprus: Whole Institution Approach and Education for Sustainable Development, Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth Link
- 19-21 May, Nicosia, Cyprus: Meeting of Directors-General for Higher Education (DG HE) on the need to adapt higher education to the requirements of the labour market, strengthen economic resilience, expand continuing education and retraining opportunities, and establish a common European degree, Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth
- 21-24 May, Nicosia, Cyprus: Coreper 1, Council of the European Union
- 2-4 June, Nicosia, Cyprus: International Conference on ‘Sport Tourism as a Driver for Sustainable Development’ Link, Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth
- 10-12 June, Brussels, Belgium: Informal Education Committee – Attaché Trip, Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth
- 23-25 June, Nicosia, Cyprus: Meeting of the Standing Group on Indicators and Benchmarks, Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth
