Since January 1, 2026, the Republic of Cyprus has held the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The political history of the Republic of Cyprus has been strongly shaped by its colonial past, the tensions between the island’s two largest ethnic groups - the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots - as well as by the influence of third states and international actors. Since gaining independence in 1960, the political system has developed under difficult conditions that continue to affect the island’s politics and society to this day. This country report aims, in light of the EU Council Presidency and the informal Council at the end of April 2026, to provide an assessment of the island’s foreign policy situation.
