Cyprus House Speaker attends Bratislava conference on EU budget and regional developments

The President of the House of Representatives of Cyprus, Annita Demetriou, is attending a summit of Parliamentary Speakers from the Visegrad Group (V4) and the 'Friends of Cohesion' countries in Bratislava, Slovakia, held on November 12-13, 2026. The meeting, hosted by the National Council of Slovakia, focuses on negotiating the European Union's next Multiannual Financial Framework for the 2028-2034 period. The 'Friends of Cohesion' group, comprising 17 EU member states, is pushing for prioritized funding for Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy, which they view as essential pillars for regional economic, social, and territorial stability.

On the sidelines of the summit, Demetriou held bilateral meetings with her counterparts from Malta, Carmelo Abela, and Lithuania, Juozas Olekas. During these discussions, she provided updates on the Cyprus problem, specifically referencing the tripartite meeting held on November 9 between President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman, moderated by UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin. Key topics included the agreement to open two new border crossing points and ongoing concerns regarding Turkish provocations in the Eastern Mediterranean. A final session at Bratislava Castle is scheduled for Friday, November 13, to solidify the group's collective policy position.