BusinessEurope Council of Presidents held in Nicosia

The Council of Presidents (CoPres) of BusinessEurope was hosted in Nicosia from November 19 to 21, 2025, by the Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEB).

BusinessEurope is the largest business organization in Europe, representing over 25 million businesses through 42 federations from 36 countries. It is recognized in the EU Treaties as the main representative of European entrepreneurship and a key social partner.

Cyprus has been a member of BusinessEurope since the 1980s, represented by the Federation of Employers and Industrialists. The current President of OEB, George Pantelides, is Vice President of BusinessEurope during Cyprus’ EU Presidency (2025-2026). Michalis Antoniou is a member of the Executive Bureau.

The Council of Presidents, held twice annually, gathers Presidents, DGs, and Permanent Delegates to discuss the incoming EU Presidency’s priorities and European business objectives. The Nicosia summit included participation from federations representing 34 countries.

During the summit:

• The President of Cyprus, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, received federation leaders at the Presidential Palace and discussed Cyprus’ EU Presidency plans.
• An official dinner was hosted at the Presidential Palace, attended by President Christodoulides, Ministers of Finance and Energy, and Deputy Ministers to the President and European Affairs.
• On November 21, at the Hilton Hotel, the President of Cyprus, Deputy Minister to the President, and Cypriot EU Commissioner Mr. Costas Kadis participated in the Council meeting.

The Council adopted the “Nicosia Declaration” with six key messages, which was delivered to President Christodoulides and Mr. Kadis and forwarded to European institutions. Photographs of the summit are attached.

The full text of the Nicosia Declaration is available in both English and Greek.