House passes law on special minister ahead of EU council presidency

The plenary of the House on Thursday unanimously passed a law providing for the appointment and setting out the powers of a Deputy Minister to the President for European affairs ahead of the island’s assumption of presidency of the EU council in 2026.

The deputy minister will have supervision authority over preparations for the EU council presidency during the first half of 2026.

The law provides for the appointment, by act of the President of the Republic, of the deputy minister as well as the duration of his or her term of office, starting on the date determined by the president’s act of appointment and ending on July 31, 2026.

The responsibilities of the deputy minister include, among other things, the political supervision of the secretariat of the Cyprus presidency of the European Union, political representation in EU institutions, and coordination of the programme and priorities of the Cyprus EU presidency.

Moreover, the minister will be responsible for organising meetings in Cyprus under the EU presidency framework, as well as setting the communication strategy in collaboration with the government spokesman and the press and information office (PIO).

The presence of the minister in discussions before the Council of Ministers on matters of his or her competence, and the submission of relevant information without participating in decision-making, is also included in the responsibilities of the role.

The appointee is to submit an activity report to the president and a copy to the House before the end of term.

Cyprus, an EU member state since 2004, previously held the presidency of the European council in 2012.