Nicosia (Brussels Morning Newspaper) January 10, 2026 – UAE Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh represented President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the opening ceremony marking Cyprus’s assumption of the six-month EU Council Presidency from Poland. The event in Nicosia gathered 27 EU leaders plus third-country representatives where Nusseibeh conveyed UAE congratulations and discussed bilateral economic cooperation frameworks. Cyprus outlined presidency priorities focusing EU enlargement security and economic competitiveness amid global trade tensions.
The ceremony formalised Cyprus’s January-June 2026 presidency inheriting Poland’s Eastern Flank security portfolio featuring Ukraine accession negotiations. Nusseibeh met European Council President António Costa and Cypriot Presidency representatives highlighting UAE’s €10 billion sovereign wealth fund commitments to European green hydrogen projects. As reported by Europe diplomatic correspondent Robin Emmott of Reuters, Nusseibeh’s participation underscores Gulf-EU strategic partnership expansion established during previous presidencies.
Cyprus assumes eu council presidency with enlargement focus

Cyprus commenced presidency prioritising EU enlargement Western Balkans integration and Eastern Partnership initiatives. President Nikos Christodoulides outlined three priorities during opening statements: strengthening European defence capabilities, advancing candidate state negotiations and enhancing single market competitiveness. Presidency programme schedules €120 billion cohesion fund allocations targeting infrastructure connectivity across 27 member states.
The Europa Building hosted formalities including national anthems performed by EU Youth Orchestra comprising 120 musicians aged 16-26. Cyprus Permanent Representation welcomed 420 diplomats including GCC ambassadors marking structured Gulf-EU dialogue continuity. Presidency work programme projects 110 legislative dossiers across 45 ministerial configurations.
UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Nusseibeh’s official representation. MoFA وزارة الخارجية said in X post,
“On behalf of the UAE President, Her Excellency Lana Nusseibeh Participates in Opening Ceremony of Cyprus’ Assumption of EU Council Presidency”
On behalf of the UAE President, Her Excellency Lana Nusseibeh Participates in Opening Ceremony of Cyprus’ Assumption of EU Council Presidencyhttps://t.co/EkhVlDEUmd pic.twitter.com/1JxJG2bx8o
— MoFA وزارة الخارجية (@mofauae) January 10, 2026
Nusseibeh conveys uae strategic partnership commitments

Lana Nusseibeh delivered formal congratulations emphasising bilateral trade volumes reaching €28 billion during 202













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