President of Cyprus, at meeting with Moldovan counterpart, says country's goal for Moldovan citizens to enjoy benefits of European integration as soon as possible

The goal of the Cyprus’ presidency in the Council of the European Union is for the citizens of Moldova to enjoy the benefits of European integration in the near future. President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides has made statements to this effect at a meeting with President Maia Sandu, on an official visit to Cyprus today. This visit by Maia Sandu to Cyprus is the first of a Moldovan president in the last two decades.

Christodoulides referred to Cyprus's vision during its term as President of the EU Council, noting that efforts would be directed towards strengthening and prospering the EU, with enlargement being an "inseparable" element.

"Our objective is to have an efficient presidency, with the ambition of contributing substantially to efforts to have a more autonomous, stronger and more prosperous Union. Enlargement represents an inseparable element of this vision. It has been proven over time that enlargement is one of the most powerful geopolitical tools of the European Union, as well as a driving force for reforms, progress and prosperity," said the president of Cyprus.

The official also said that Cyprus had greatly benefited from European integration. EU accession had a considerable influence on Cyprus's political, economic and social life: from the development of trade, entrepreneurship and tourism, to the modernization of health, maritime navigation, agriculture and transportation. At the same time, it opened new horizons for citizens, giving them the opportunity to study, work and live in any member state of the Union.

"Our objective and aspiration is for all these benefits to soon be enjoyed by the citizens of Moldova," Nikos Christodoulides stressed.

Moldova is in a window of opportunity that must be seized, noted President Maia Sandu, who discussed with her Cypriot counterpart the "decisive moment" that our country is going through and the role that the future Cypriot presidency of the EU Council can play in advancing the EU accession process.

"I conveyed to the President our firm hope that Cyprus, as state that will hold the presidency of the EU Council, will support a credible and ambitious enlargement agenda - one that rewards reforms, strengthens stability across the continent and shows that the European promise stays alive for those who work for it," emphasized the president.

Maia Sandu appreciated "Cyprus's openness to support a roadmap of the EU Council Presidency that includes advancing Moldova's EU accession negotiations."

Nikos Christodoulides described President Maia Sandu's visit to Cyprus as historic, being the first by a head of state from Moldova in the last 22 years.

As of January 1, 2026, Cyprus will take over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.