The EU Council Presidency Moves from Cyprus to Ireland
H.E. Maria Papakyriakou, Ambassador of Cyprus, delivering her speech
To mark the change of Presidency of the Council of the European Union, H.E. Maria Papakyriakou, Ambassador of Cyprus, hosted a reception in the garden of her residence. Addressing an audience of several hundred guests, she reflected positively on her country's six-month Presidency of the Council. Under the guiding theme, "An Autonomous Union, Open to the World," she said Cyprus had helped advance Europe as a reliable mediator during a period of geopolitical crises.
Taking Stock of the Presidency
The Ambassador highlighted progress on the EU's 2028–2034 budget, continued support for Ukraine, the SAFE instrument to strengthen European defence, migration and asylum policy, and EU enlargement. Further achievements, she noted, had been made in advancing the single market, trade, and social policy. The Ambassador also paid tribute to Germany as one of Europe's key partners. The conclusion of Cyprus's Presidency likewise marks her own departure from Germany after five years in office. She said Berlin had become her "second home".
Priorities of Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union
H.E. Maeve Collins, Ambassador of Ireland, outlined the priorities of Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, focusing on competitiveness, values and security. Key priorities, she said, would include continued support for Ukraine, EU enlargement, the single market and European defence. The Ambassador also paid tribute to Cyprus's successful Presidency and bid farewell to H.E. Maria Papakyriakou, Ambassador of Cyprus.
Minister of State for Europe at the Federal Foreign Office
Gunther Krichbaum, Minister of State for Europe at the Federal Foreign Office, likewise praised Cyprus's Presidency of the Council of the European Union as a great success during a period of geopolitical crises. He highlighted progress in the EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, continued support for Ukraine, measures to strengthen Europe's competitiveness, and investment in security, innovation and artificial intelligence. He stressed that free trade agreements and broader economic connectivity would be crucial to Europe's future.
A Shared Responsibility
Wishing Ireland every success during its Presidency, Krichbaum underlined Europe's shared responsibility to safeguard peace, democracy and the rule of law. In closing, he thanked H.E. Maria Papakyriakou, the outgoing Ambassador of Cyprus, for her outstanding commitment and dedicated service.
With live music and a selection of culinary delights, the reception became a cheerful summer celebration in the spacious garden of the Ambassador's Residence
H.E. Maeve Collins, Ambassador of Ireland, outlined the priorities of Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union in her address
Gunther Krichbaum, Minister of State for Europe at the Federal Foreign Office
H.E. Maria Papakyriakou, Ambassador of Cyprus (right), presented the EU bicycle -symbolising the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union - to H.E. Maeve Collins, Ambassador of Ireland (left)
Guests gathered in the garden of the Ambassador's Residence
An Irish-Cypriot band provided the musical entertainment
In the garden of the Ambassador's Residence
From left: H.E. Adriana-Loreta Stănescu, Ambassador of Romania; H.E. Piet Heirbaut, Ambassador of Belgium; and H.E. Vinciane von Westphalen, Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta
H.E. Livia Leu, Ambassador of Switzerland
From left: H.E. Dr Peter Györkös, Ambassador of Hungary; H.E. Dr Imomudin Sattorov, Ambassador of Tajikistan; Dr Gunnar Schellenberger, President of the State Parliament of Saxony-Anhalt
From left: the Ambassadors of Spain and Greece; Gunther Krichbaum, Minister of State for Europe at the Federal Foreign Office; the Ambassadors of Portugal and Malta; the Ambassador of Lithuania; and the Ambassador of Luxembourg
H.E. the Ambassador of Latvia, whose term in Germany ended in the summer, and H.E. Vicente Albornoz, Ambassador of Ecuador
H.E. Ahmed Abdulrahman Ahmed Al Qarainees, Ambassador of Bahrain, and H.E. Maitha Saif Al Mahrouqi, Ambassador of Oman
From left: H.E. Fayiz F. Khouri, Ambassador of Jordan; H.E. Auðunn Atlason, Ambassador of Iceland; H.E. Veronika Wand-Danielsson, Ambassador of Sweden; and H.E. Abir Ali, Ambassador of Lebanon
H.E. Juana Martinez Gonzalez, Ambassador of Cuba, and Luiz Eduardo Gonçalves, Minister-Counsellor at the Embassy of Brazil
Gunther Krichbaum, Minister of State for Europe at the Federal Foreign Office, and H.E. Dr Snežana Janković, Ambassador of Serbia