Guests:
H. E. Aliki Pascali, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the Czech Republic
H. E. Søren Kelstrup, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to the Czech Republic
Ivo Šlosarčík, Professor, Department of European Studies, Charles University
Ondřej Matoušek, Deputy Director-General, Department for European Affairs, Office of the Government of the Czech Republic

The rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union is one of the key mechanisms that allows Member States to shape the European agenda, moderate negotiations, and seek compromises among different national priorities. At the beginning of this year, Cyprus assumed this role from Denmark, raising questions about which priorities the EU will advance in the coming term. One concept has defined the European Union in recent years: continuity. Member States have consistently focused on the issues of security, defence, and competitiveness.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the Czech Republic, Aliki Pascali, emphasized that Cyprus is taking over the presidency at a time when “Russian aggression against Ukraine, conflicts in the EU’s southern neighbourhood, and tensions in the wider Middle East” increasingly shape the European security environment. According to Ambassador Pascali, Cyprus aims to ensure continuity in the European agenda, while also using its geographical position as the EU Member State closest to the Eastern Mediterranean to bring the specific experience of a “frontline state” into European debates.

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to the Czech Republic, Søren Kelstrup, pointed out that northern and southern EU Member States essentially face the same challenges: “We must be able to defend our borders and protect infrastructure and democratic processes.” According to him, Europe must also reduce its excessive dependence on energy, critical raw materials, and technologies from countries on which it cannot afford to remain strategically reliant.

Security, Migration, and Competitiveness as a Shared Agenda

During its presidency, Denmark placed strong emphasis on security and defence, as well as on competitiveness and the green transition. Kelstrup cited as one of its main achievements the progress towards ensuring that Europe has, by 2030, a clearer plan for defence preparedness and for closing capability gaps. “We now have a clearer idea of how to strengthen Europe in areas such as drones and air defence,” he explained.

He also described migration as a key component of internal security, noting that asylum policy reform responds to citizens’ concerns and is crucial for preserving democratic stability. At the same time, he pointed out that some agendas, such as the controversial proposal to regulate the online environment, have exposed the limits of political consensus within the EU.

Cyprus intends to build on Denmark’s priorities while adding its own emphasis on a multi-layered approach to security. Ambassador Pascali stated that Cyprus will promote a “comprehensive approach to security that links defence, migration, and regional partnerships on the EU’s eastern flank.” The country also plans to draw on its experience with a high number of asylum applications: “Departures of migrants are now five times higher than arrivals,” she noted, suggesting that an effective return policy can work.

In recent years, the programmes of successive Council presidencies have tended either to overlap or at least to build on one another. Ondřej Matoušek, Deputy Director-General of the Department for European Affairs, described this as a positive development. “The EU has maintained unity in its responses to the major crises it has faced in recent years,” he added. He also emphasized the importance of cooperation in defence as a way to ensure more efficient use of resources. While the EU will not become the primary provider of security, it “offers clear added value in certain areas, such as joint defence projects or defence financing.”

In the area of competitiveness, Matoušek noted a growing emphasis on “simplification” — reducing administrative burdens and creating a more business-friendly environment. According to him, this approach will be crucial in the upcoming negotiations on the EU’s next multiannual financial framework.

Rotating Presidency and Political Priorities

Professor Ivo Šlosarčík of Charles University noted that the Council presidency gives Member States an opportunity to rethink their European priorities. The rotating role, he argued, forces countries into a “mental exercise” about what they want from the Union and with whom they can advance their goals.

He also observed that the traditional dominance of the presidency in steering the agenda is increasingly challenged by alternative formats of negotiation and greater institutional flexibility. But fragmentation, he added, is not new — it is a recurring feature of European integration: “Situations where controversies and divisions exist have always been normal in the European Union.”

The discussion also touched on current political and geopolitical issues, such as disputes concerning Greenland and the volatility of transatlantic relations. The speakers agreed that Europe must strengthen its capacity to act independently and protect its interests, without abandoning cooperation with allies.

The debate demonstrated that the presidency of the Council of the EU remains an important element of European decision-making, particularly in maintaining continuity in the Union’s key policy priorities: security, migration, and competitiveness. The experiences of Denmark and the ambitions of Cyprus show that even smaller Member States can use their presidencies to bring specific perspectives and contribute to Europe’s strategic direction in times of uncertainty.