Press remarks by the President of the Republic of Cyprus and the President of the Republic of Lithuania

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20/06/25 15:24 | Press release | President of the Republic / Presidency, Foreign Policy, European affairs, Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026

The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nikos Christodoulides, met today with the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Mr Gitanas Nausėda, at the Presidential Palace, in Vilnius.

Following their tête-à-tête meeting, President Christodoulides and President Nausėda made statements to the press.

In his remarks, President Nausėda said: “I am pleased to have the opportunity to discuss bilateral cooperation between Lithuania and Cyprus, as well as the European agenda; our upcoming presidencies of the European Union (EU) Council in 2026 and 2027.

I am informed about Cyprus plans to establish an embassy in the Baltic region. I take this opportunity to invite you to consider opening your embassy in Vilnius to further strengthen our political and economic relations.

Speaking about our economic exchanges, the growth of trade in services is really impressive. With Lithuania positioning itself as a centre of excellence in cyber security, e-business, e-government and fintech, I expect the strength is mutually beneficial.

Mr President, thank you for updating me on the Cyprus settlement process. Let me underline that we stand in firm solidarity with Cyprus, affirming our strong commitment to its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Upholding the principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter is fundamental for the integrity of the rules-based international order.

The future of the Cyprus settlement process requires constant attention. Talks between the two communities eventually leading to an agreement are essential for reducing tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.

We discussed Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2026, which is important for us in planning our own presidency one year after. Your leadership will be essential for advancing the EU enlargement process, especially with Ukraine and Moldova. We expect substantial progress in negotiations across all the clusters in 2026.

EU membership is the most significant security guarantee that the Union can provide to Ukraine. Despite Russia’s ongoing war of aggression, Ukraine is impressively delivering on its EU integration commitments and reforms. Ukraine’s membership in the EU is also crucial for the security of Europe itself. Therefore, we must accelerate this process – setting a target date for membership no later than 1^st January 2030 – would mobilise preparatory processes both in Ukraine and within the EU.

Lithuania also supports the European integration of the Western Balkan aspirants, especially those delivering on reforms and the common EU security and defence policy. The EU itself faces many challenges, and your presidency will be essential in advancing many important issues on the Union’s agenda. Security and defence remain among the most important items on the European agenda. Here we need to assess the progress encouraged to smooth implementation of the new initiatives, for example, the safe instrument, and call for further urgent efforts to strengthen European defence readiness.

Migration continues to pose a significant challenge for the EU. Our region bordering Belarus and Russia faces a specific situation – instrumentalised migration. The Migration and Asylum Pact is an important package to implement, but the EU must go forward. I am speaking about the new regulation on returns and the acceleration of innovative solutions, including return hubs and the revision of the safe third country concept.

Mr President, thank you once again for your visit and I look forward to seeing you again at the European Council taking place next week”.

On his part, President Christodoulides said: “I am both honoured and delighted to be the first President of Cyprus to be visiting Lithuania, also in view of the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Thank you for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to me and to my delegation.

I was here as Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2021. It was during the migration crisis, and I fully understand what you said about the instrumentalisation of migration. We know what that means because of our big neighbour.

Cyprus and Lithuania may be geographically located at a distance, yet the proximity between our countries and peoples is palpable, meaningful, and real.

First and foremost, as countries belonging to the same family, our common home, the EU, that we both joined in the historic 5th enlargement, in 2004.

Two member states situated at opposite ends of the EU’s external borders, and both located in complex, turbulent regions, with the existential threat of aggressive, expansive neighbours.

We have common challenges, common values, shared convictions, and a deep-rooted commitment to an international order anchored on international law.

We have a strong foundation of our growing bilateral ties, and today we are paving the way for further strengthening this relationship.

I am very encouraged by the growing Lithuanian investments in Cyprus, as well as the steadily increasing Lithuanian tourists to Cyprus and vice-versa. We are keen to do much more to facilitate these people-to-people contacts, and facilitate Lithuanian businesses and services expand to the greater Middle East region, where Cyprus is the EU’s gateway.

With President Nausėda today, we held an extensive exchange on key regional issues, including the alarming, escalating situation in the Middle East. We must strive and are working for more EU engagement in this strategically important region, which is the Union’s neighbourhood. Despite the geographical distance, Lithuania has a very good understanding of the situation, of the region’s importance, of its indispensable role in the EU’s strategic autonomy, and our two countries share similar views on a matter of issues pertaining to the wider Middle East.

And, of course, we also discussed extensively the continuing Russian aggression against Ukraine. It is a war against our values and our interests. We will never accept the violation of the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of any state. I assure you, Mr President, that support to Ukraine will be a high priority of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, which starts in January 2026.

We also discussed other European priorities, in view of the Cyprus Presidency, as well as the Lithuania Presidency in the first half of 2027. We see eye to eye that at this inflection point for our Union, we must work to deliver a Union that is stronger, more secure, more strategically autonomous.

Last but most certainly not least, I take the opportunity to express our appreciation for Lithuania’s long-standing support to our efforts to reunify Cyprus, in line with the UN Security Council Resolutions and EU law, values, and principles. Cyprus remains the Union’s last divided member state, under military occupation for 51 years. Occupation on European territory. I will have the opportunity to inform President Nausėda of the latest developments in our efforts to resume negotiations, including the appointment of envoys by the UN and the EU, as well as the upcoming expanded meeting under the UN Secretary-General next month.

Thank you for the meaningful discussions and for the warm hospitality. I look forward to reciprocating, and in this regard, I extend an invitation for you to be the first Lithuanian President to visit Cyprus in almost a quarter of a century. The last visit to Cyprus by a Lithuanian President was in 2001”.

Following the press statements, President Christodoulides left for Tallinn, Estonia, for a working visit and meetings this afternoon with the Prime Minister and the President of the Republic of Estonia.

(RM/GS/ΝΖ)

Press remarks by the President of the Republic of Cyprus and the President of the Republic of Lithuania

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