The Republic of Cyprus has launched an “ambitious” schedule of visits by the President and ministers to other European Union member states, candidate countries and third countries, ahead of assuming the Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Thursday. He also said that “the Republic of Cyprus places particular emphasis on strengthening its role as a bridge between the EU and the countries of the southern neighbourhood and the Gulf.”