Alpha News

Cyprus EU Presidency Outlines 4+2 Priorities in Education and Sports

Published January 27, 2026, 13:24

The Minister of Education, Sports and Youth, Dr. Athena Michaelidou, presented the priorities of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU in the areas of Education, Youth and Sports. The Presidency is guided by the belief that education is the foundation for a resilient and innovative Europe, aligned with the European Education Area. In the field of Education, the priorities include negotiations on the Erasmus+ Regulation, strengthening the prestige of teachers, developing basic skills and enhancing cooperation in Higher Education. In the field of Youth, emphasis is placed on building young people's trust in the EU and evaluating EU policies in terms of their youth-friendliness. In the field of Sports, the Presidency highlights sports as a driving force for social cohesion and sustainable development, with a focus on sports tourism and physical activity for health. The Mediterranean dimension in Sports is also promoted. The Cypriot Presidency will be accompanied by a series of events, including the EU Youth Conference in Nicosia in March 2026 and an international conference on Sports Tourism.