On his first official visit to Cyprus as Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset underlined the importance of democratic security at a time of democratic backsliding across Europe. Taking place within his first year in office and in the run-up to Cyprus’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026, the visit carried particular significance.
“A new geopolitical landscape is unfolding in political, economic and military terms,” said Secretary General Berset at the end of his two-day visit to Nicosia. “Based on our shared values, and making full use of our strong institutions, the states and people of Europe must resolutely work together to safeguard our democratic future. Given its unique circumstances, Cyprus has a key role to play in this process.”
Deepening cooperation with Cyprus
The Secretary General met with President Nikos Christodoulides, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, and Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis. They discussed ways to further enhance cooperation between the Council of Europe and Cyprus, including in the context of the country’s forthcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The Secretary General also extended an invitation to the President and the Foreign Minister to visit Strasbourg during their European Union Presidency.
Convergences on priorities and regional challenges
Secretary General Berset reiterated the Council of Europe’s long-standing position in support of a bizonal, bicommunal federation in Cyprus, in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions. He paid tribute to Cyprus’s contribution to key initiatives, including support for Ukraine and new treaties on artificial intelligence, the environment and the protection of lawyers. He further commended Cyprus’s record in implementing Council of Europe standards and recommendations, stressing the importance of the timely execution of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. A follow-up technical visit will be organised shortly to discuss these issues in more detail.
The exchanges also touched upon the situation in the Middle East, given Cyprus’s proximity to the region. This will be an area where Cyprus and the Council of Europe can work more closely together, helping to strengthen the Organisation’s external dimension.
Engaging institutions and the diplomatic community
During his stay in Nicosia, the Secretary General also held discussions with the President of the House of Representatives Annita Demetriou, the Mayor of Nicosia Charalambos Prountzos, as well as with Cyprus’s delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. He also met with locally-based ambassadors of Council of Europe member and observer states.
In addition, Secretary General Berset delivered a lecture at the Diplomatic Academy on the concept of democratic security, emphasising that in times of global uncertainty and challenges to the international rules-based order, defending and promoting Europe’s common values is essential to ensuring long-term peace and stability on the continent.
Secretary General Alain Berset
New Democratic Pact for Europe website
Cyprus and the Council of Europe
