Greek Cypriot Administration officially takes EU Council rotating presidency with ceremony

​​​​​​​By Melike Pala

BRUSSELS (AA) - The Greek Cypriot Administration officially took the rotating presidency of the EU Council, with an opening ceremony held Wednesday in Nicosia.

The event was hosted by Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides and attended by European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Under the motto: "An Autonomous Union. Open to the World," the six-month presidency aims to strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy while maintaining engagement with global partners.

It marks the second time the Greek Cypriot Administration has held the EU Council presidency, 14 years after its first term in 2012, during the eurozone crisis.

During its tenure, the Greek Cypriot Administration will focus on five main priorities: security and defense readiness, competitiveness, openness to the world, an autonomous union of values and the long-term EU budget.

The Greek Cypriot Administration began its presidency Jan. 1.

The EU Council presidency rotates among member states every six months.

Ireland will take the presidency from July 1 to Dec. 31.