Cyprus Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry chairs EU Council meeting in Brussels

On Friday, Cyprus Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Michalis Damianou, will chair a meeting of the EU Council in a trade configuration in Brussels. Damianou departs for Brussels on Thursday evening and is scheduled to return to Cyprus on Saturday. The meeting will focus on economic security and the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on global trade, assessing both short-term and long-term consequences for international trade flows. Ministers will discuss matters related to the World Trade Organization (WTO), following the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference held in March 2026 in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Furthermore, the Council will evaluate the European Union's strategy and upcoming steps regarding the WTO reform process. During a working lunch, participants will review the progress of ongoing trade negotiations. These discussions will include potential trade agreements with Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates.