On 1st January 2026, the Republic of Cyprus has assumed the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, until June 2026. The Cyprus presidency marks the end of the trio of presidencies that was opened by the Polish presidency, and followed by the Danish one.
Building on the work done by the previous two presidencies, as outlined in the Council 18-month programme, 1 January 2025 – 30 June 2026, the Cyprus presidency will be focusing on several topics of strategic importance to the EFN. Among these, continuing the negotiations for the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MMF), and advancing the negotiations for EU enlargement, with several EFN Member States getting closer to EU membership.
Moreover, the Cyprus Presidency will prioritise the implementation of the EU Preparedness Strategy, with a focus on strengthening the EU’s and Member States’ preparedness and resilience to manage any disaster, in which the nurses’ involvement is key. It will also aim to strengthen the European dimension of housing policy, building on the European Affordable Housing Plan, and any subsequent Commission initiatives and legislative proposals.
Furthermore, as Health and Safety at work is a priority for the Cyprus Presidency, it will continue the work on the 6th revision of the Directive on carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances for the prevention of negative effects on human health, of particular relevance to frontline nurses, who are often exposed to hazardous substances.
The next EFN General Assembly will be hosted on 16-17 April 2026 in Cyprus, with the attendance of Neophytos Charalambides, the newly-appointed Minister of Health of the Republic of Cyprus, a great privilege for the EFN.
The Cyprus Presidency will be followed by the Irish Presidency in July 2026, marking the beginning of a new trio of presidencies that will feature the Lithuanian and Greek presidencies.