At the moment that marks the arrival of the new year for the Republic of Cyprus, which takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for a six-month period, the President of the Republic mentioned in his customary New Year's message to the Cypriot people.
With references to the efforts to restart the talks on the Cyprus issue, the state of the Cypriot economy and the reform plan, President Christodoulidis highlights the priorities and goals of the Government.
The following is the President's message in full:
"Compatriots,
The end of the year and the arrival of the New Year, is offered for Reflection, Assessment, but also a Springboard for achieving further progress in the great effort to change our country.
2026 begins with a landmark moment for the Republic of Cyprus, since from tomorrow and for six months, our homeland takes over the
Presidency of the Council of the European Union
. This is undoubtedly a proud moment, for one
national mission
, for a huge responsibility to which I am sure we will respond successfully, working for an autonomous Union, open to the world.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The coming of 2026 finds the Republic of Cyprus, as a result of our responsible fiscal policy, walking with
confidence and pride in the path of economic development
, in conditions of full employment, with zero inflation, with a significant reduction in public debt and with continuous upgrades from all international Rating Houses.
And all this translates into concrete tangible results for the Citizens, for the State, for our Country. First of all, they allow us to
targeted social policy
, allow us to invest substantially in Education, Health, Housing, the Welfare State, in all that improves the daily life of the Citizen.
At the same time, we continue the great effort to
reconstruction and modernization of the State
of 1960, through continuous and
bold reforms
which strengthen Transparency, Accountability and essentially improve the daily life of citizens, their contact with the public, the standard of living, while at the same time creating hope and perspective in the New Generation of our country.
And it is precisely through this reasoning that we have pushed forward flagship reforms, such as the Tax Transformation of the country that takes effect from tomorrow and that restores the balance between social justice and economic competitiveness, since the benefit goes directly to Households, the Middle Class, Families and Businesses.
It was within the same framework that we also promoted the Reform for the evaluation of the Education, the modernization of the Legal and Audit Service, the Digital Transformation of the State, the automatic registration in the electoral rolls, the right to vote from the age of 17 and many other policies, always for the benefit of the citizens. And exactly, with the same persistence, we will continue in 2026, with the Pension and the substantial increase in pensions being our emblematic Reform.
Friends and Girlfriends,
Approaching the completion of the third year of governance, we continue with determination, with a clear plan and design and with strong political will, the implementation of our governance program, which is founded on
Social Liberalism
who wants the state to be Socially Sensitive, to serve the principles of Equality and Solidarity, and at the same time to create a favorable environment for Business, Investments and all drivers of economic activity and social development.
We are working to implement one
ambitious program of governance
, on the basis of which all our political decisions and actions serve them
our five key priorities
:
- The extroverted foreign policy, with a clear European and Western orientation, with a strong Defense and Security,
- The resilient and strong Economy,
- The modernization of the State with continuous Reforms,
- Transparency, Accountability and the fight against Corruption, and,
- Improving the everyday life of citizens.
And, really, I am happy, because an evaluation of what has been done so far confirms the consistency of words and works in the implementation of what we have promised before the elections, but also after the elections, which also constitute our Social Contract with the Cypriot people.
And exactly, with the same seriousness and responsibility, we will continue in 2026, strengthening all the power factors of our country, internal and external. Domestically, facing the great challenge of immigration, strengthening the deterrent power of our homeland, establishing a Rule of Law, simplifying and abolishing procedures, faithfully serving our non-negotiable will for Transparency, for Accountability and to fight Corruption.
Internationally, having
clear European and Western orientation
, we will continue to walk the path of responsibility, taking an active role as a pillar of security and stability in the wider Middle East region. We will continue with initiatives and actions to upgrade the international standing of the Republic of Cyprus and highlight its added value in dealing with regional, European and international challenges. Always, as part of the solution and never as part of the problem.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Everything I mentioned above catalyzes our great effort to achieve it
of our highest priority, which is none other than the liberation and reunification of our homeland
, always on the basis of the resolutions of the United Nations, the convergences achieved and, of course, the principles and values of the European Union and the acquis communautaire.
From the first moment of taking over the government of the place, we have been working on the basis of a specific plan, so that
to resume talks from where they left off in 2017
. And I am really happy because it was our own efforts that led to the substantial reactivation of the international community with the appointment of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary General of the United Nations, the Tripartite and Multilateral Conferences, the appointment, for the first time, of the Personal Envoy of the President of the European Commission and the clear and substantial connection between the Euro-Turkish and Cyprus issues. And we will continue this great effort, without overlooking the difficulties and challenges, with the sole aim of reuniting our homeland through a functional and sustainable solution.
This is my promise, but also my obligation
. And I am fully ready to take responsibility towards the Cypriot people, our refugees and trapped people, the relatives of the missing. Our goal is clear and our political will strong and indisputable. This is my clear message to our Turkish Cypriot compatriots and to Turkey.
Friends and Friends,
In a few hours we welcome 2026, with the flag of the Republic of Cyprus flying proudly on the top mast of Europe, and with the certainty that our country will continue to march responsibly and confidently, both at home and abroad.
Happy Birthday and Happy New Year to all.
Together, we are changing Cyprus, with Vision, Strategic Planning and a Clear Plan".
STS
