Cyprus wants to use its upcoming presidency of the Council of the EU to lower tensions with Turkey in return for making progress on joining NATO

Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides told POLITICO that the aim is to get Turkey to agree to let Cyprus into the Partnership for Peace program, which is seen as a first step toward NATO membership. Cyprus would then gradually remove impediments to closer cooperation between the EU and Turkey. Christodoulides suggests he has already discussed this proposal with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Christodoulides called Cyprus joining the alliance a “natural development” but something that has not happened because of “political conditions.” Some diplomats in NATO and the EU are worried that the Cypriot presidency will exacerbate long-standing tensions with Turkey, at a time when the EU is seeking to beef up its defenses and is aiming for closer military cooperation with Ankara.