Embassy of Cyprus in Cairo Celebrates Cyprus Presidency of Council of EU

On Tuesday, the Embassy of Cyprus in Cairo celebrated Cyprus's presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026.

The embassy organized an outstanding concert for clarinet and piano featuring Geroge Georgiou and Annini Tsiouti at the Ewart Memorial Hall of the American University in Cairo.

Ambassador Polly Ioannou of Cyprus delivered keynote remarks at a cultural event hosted at the American University in Cairo, emphasizing the deepening strategic partnership between Egypt, Cyprus, and the European Union, as well as the role of culture in strengthening international dialogue.

Addressing an audience of diplomats, members of the Cypriot community, and invited guests, Ambassador Ioannou described the evening as a flagship event marking Cyprus’s Presidency of the European Union in Cairo. 

She stressed that the occasion reflects the foundational values at the heart of EU–Egypt relations, dialogue, partnership, mutual understanding, and unity in diversity.

The ambassador highlighted recent political developments reinforcing these ties, pointing to President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s visit to Cyprus on April 24, where he participated in a high-level meeting with European and regional leaders. 

She noted that the visit underscored Egypt’s strategic importance to Europe and the broader Middle East, while also reaffirming the need for closer cooperation between the European Union and Egypt.

Ioannou further referenced the joint declaration signed during the visit between President El-Sisi and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, describing it as a reaffirmation of the longstanding and evolving strategic partnership between the two countries. 

She reiterated Cyprus’s commitment, as the geographically closest EU member state to Egypt, to act as a bridge fostering closer relations between Egypt and the European Union.

Turning to the cultural dimension of the evening, the ambassador underscored Cyprus’s historical identity as a meeting point of civilizations, reflected not only in its political history but also in its cultural and artistic production. 

She noted that the evening’s program, featuring works by Cypriot and European composers, symbolizes this intersection of influences and highlights Cyprus’s contribution to the broader European cultural landscape.

She also drew attention to the inclusion of contemporary Cypriot compositions and world premieres, describing them as an important platform for showcasing modern artistic expression and reinforcing Cyprus’s cultural presence internationally.

In her address, Ambassador Ioannou additionally acknowledged the presence of members of the Cypriot and Greek communities in Egypt, emphasizing their historical role in enriching cultural exchange and strengthening bilateral ties over generations.

A chamber music performance followed the speech, featuring clarinetist George Georgiou and pianist Annini Tsiouti. 

The program blended classical European repertoire with contemporary Cypriot works, including world premieres composed specifically for the occasion. 

The performance highlighted both artists’ technical precision and interpretive depth, offering the audience a refined musical experience that complemented the evening’s cultural and diplomatic themes.