Issuing his first written statement of the new term on 8 January 2026, President Nikos Christodoulides set out an ambitious mobility agenda that places the eastern Mediterranean at the heart of EU external relations. He promised to “substantially intensify” Cyprus’ efforts to deepen ties with neighbouring Middle-Eastern countries by leveraging the island’s geography, political credibility and cultural fluency.
Practically, the presidency will push for faster visa-facilitation agreements—including multiple-entry short-stay visas—with Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt. Senior officials confirm that technical talks on a limited-passport-recognition pilot are already pencilled in for March. The government also plans to host a dedicated Mobility & Investment Forum in Limassol in May, bringing together transport ministers and business leaders to streamline air-service agreements and reciprocal work-permit quotas.
The statement underscores Cyprus’ intent to become a “bridge of predictability” for multinational firms operating on both sides of the Mediterranean. Analysts say this could translate into simplified customs corridors through the island’s ports, joint security protocols at Larnaca and Paphos airports, and upgraded Green-Line checkpoints to facilitate smoother north-south commuter flows.
![Christodoulides Outlines Mobility-Driven Middle-East Strategy for Cyprus’ EU Presidency]()
For companies and individual travellers who will soon need to navigate these evolving bilateral schemes, VisaHQ offers a practical shortcut. Its Cyprus hub (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/) monitors the latest entry rules for Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and scores of other destinations, automates form-filling, books consular appointments and arranges document couriers—services that could prove invaluable as multiple-entry visas and new permit categories come online.
For employers, the roadmap signals potential relief from current red-tape burdens when rotating staff between Gulf, Levant and EU offices. Immigration advisers, however, caution that any new visa schemes will still need Council endorsement and could be delayed by wider EU migration-pact negotiations scheduled for June.
If successful, the initiatives would position Cyprus as a regional mobility hub and strengthen its case for full Schengen accession, ultimately offering businesses a single-permit environment stretching from Lisbon to Beirut via Nicosia.
Practically, the presidency will push for faster visa-facilitation agreements—including multiple-entry short-stay visas—with Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt. Senior officials confirm that technical talks on a limited-passport-recognition pilot are already pencilled in for March. The government also plans to host a dedicated Mobility & Investment Forum in Limassol in May, bringing together transport ministers and business leaders to streamline air-service agreements and reciprocal work-permit quotas.
The statement underscores Cyprus’ intent to become a “bridge of predictability” for multinational firms operating on both sides of the Mediterranean. Analysts say this could translate into simplified customs corridors through the island’s ports, joint security protocols at Larnaca and Paphos airports, and upgraded Green-Line checkpoints to facilitate smoother north-south commuter flows.
For companies and individual travellers who will soon need to navigate these evolving bilateral schemes, VisaHQ offers a practical shortcut. Its Cyprus hub (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/) monitors the latest entry rules for Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and scores of other destinations, automates form-filling, books consular appointments and arranges document couriers—services that could prove invaluable as multiple-entry visas and new permit categories come online.
For employers, the roadmap signals potential relief from current red-tape burdens when rotating staff between Gulf, Levant and EU offices. Immigration advisers, however, caution that any new visa schemes will still need Council endorsement and could be delayed by wider EU migration-pact negotiations scheduled for June.
If successful, the initiatives would position Cyprus as a regional mobility hub and strengthen its case for full Schengen accession, ultimately offering businesses a single-permit environment stretching from Lisbon to Beirut via Nicosia.
