The President of the Republic of Cyprus held discussions with the President of the European Council ahead of the forthcoming informal retreat of EU leaders. The exchange focused on key priorities for the European Union, including competitiveness, deeper integration and the strengthening of the single market.
Meeting ahead of informal European Council retreat
Nikos Christodoulides discussed the upcoming informal European Council leaders’ retreat with Antonio Costa. According to the information provided, the discussions centred on the agenda of the meeting, with particular focus on competitiveness and the functioning of the single market.
Focus on competitiveness and integration
In a post published on X, President Christodoulides described the exchange as a timely discussion at a critical moment for the European Union. He referred to the need for a Union that is stronger, more competitive and more integrated.
Discussed with @eucopresident the upcoming informal European Council leaders' retreat focusing on competitiveness and the single market.
— NikosChristodoulides (@Christodulides) February 3, 2026
A vital discussion at a critical time, and one that we will seize with decisiveness.
For a Union that is stronger, more competitive, with… pic.twitter.com/T62IssEzKn
Reference to strategic direction of the EU
The President also highlighted the objective of a more autonomous European Union that remains open to the world, underlining the broader strategic context within which the informal retreat of EU leaders will take place.
