Minister Byrne on visit to Cyprus to engage on Ireland’s EU Presidency

The Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, Thomas Byrne, will travel to Cyprus this week (29 September - 1 October 2025). With less than a year to go before Ireland takes up the Presidency of the Council of the EU, Minister Byrne will hold bilateral meetings with political counterparts, engage with local and Irish Community groups, and meet with UN officials, including the 12 members of An Garda Síochána serving with the United Nations Force in Cyprus.

Cyprus will hold the Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026, the term before Ireland.

Speaking in advance of the visit, Minister Byrne said: “Though far apart geographically, Ireland and Cyprus have much in common, as islands that have known conflict, and as fellow EU member states. I will take the opportunity to build on the dynamic linkages Ireland and Cyprus share today.

“Ireland and Cyprus are already cooperating closely to prepare for our respective presidencies next year. My political meetings will allow for detailed discussion on strategic collaboration.

“I also look forward to meeting the 12 members of Ireland’s police force serving with UNFICYP. The Irish Government has been a steadfast supporter of the UN Secretary-General’s work in Cyprus, and our continued commitment since 1964 to the peace keeping operations in Cyprus is testament to this.”

During the course of the visit, the Minister will also meet the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP), established under the auspices of the United Nations to recover, identify, and return to their families, the remains of those who went missing during the inter-communal fighting of 1963 to 1964 and the events of 1974. Ireland has been a firm supporter of the work of the CMP, contributing €500,000 to its work since 2006 and providing a further €25,000 in 2025 through the EU Enlargement and European Fundamental Values Funding mechanism.

During his visit, Minister Byrne will undertake meetings with Cypriot officials, including President Nikos Christodoulides, Ms Marilena Raouna, Deputy Minister for European Affairs, and Mr Harris Georgiades, Chairman of the Foreign and European Affairs Committee of the Cyprus Parliament. He will also meet with Mr. Sergiy Illarionov, the Head of Office of the Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on Cyprus.

ENDS

Press Office

30 September 2025