In a year marked by diplomatic ambition and cultural innovation, Greece and Cyprus have emerged as pivotal actors in both regional stability and the evolution of museum practice. Their efforts—spanning from high-level diplomacy in the Eastern Mediterranean to the modernization of cultural institutions—reflect a broader vision for their roles on the international stage in 2025 and beyond.
Diplomatic strategy has been front and center for both countries over the past year. According to reports compiled by regional analysts, Cyprus and Greece have moved beyond simply reacting to events, instead proactively shaping the environment of the Eastern Mediterranean and its connection to the Middle East. This shift is evident in a series of agreements, partnerships, and outreach initiatives that have redefined their standing among neighbors and allies alike.
One of the most consequential achievements for Cyprus in 2025 was the resolution of a long-standing maritime boundary dispute with Lebanon. This maritime agreement, as detailed in multiple diplomatic briefings, reinforced the importance of legal mechanisms for managing disputes in a region often fraught with competing claims and energy competition. The agreement not only provided clarity over maritime boundaries but also set a precedent for how such disputes might be peacefully resolved in the future.
Cyprus didn’t stop there. The country upgraded its relationship with the United Arab Emirates, moving from political dialogue to practical cooperation. This deepening partnership demonstrated Cyprus’s growing role as a connector between European institutions and Middle Eastern partners. As The National Herald noted, Cyprus’s approach showed how collaboration between the Eastern Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf can underpin regional stability through shared responsibilities.
At the European level, Cyprus’s strategic partnership with France was further formalized in 2025. The two nations established a joint action framework extending through 2030, covering defense, security, and energy. This step, supported by both governments, reinforced Cyprus’s place within the European security architecture and reflected growing confidence among key European actors in Cyprus’s reliability as a partner.
The United States has also deepened its ties with Cyprus this year. Security cooperation advanced in practical terms, highlighted by the upgrading of the Andreas Papandreou Air Base. These improvements have enhanced Cyprus’s ability to support allied activities, humanitarian operations, and regional contingency planning, according to official statements from both countries.
Cyprus has also expanded its diplomatic outreach beyond its traditional sphere. In 2025, it engaged with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan on trade, connectivity, and political coordination, and reached out to African partners to explore cooperation in energy, infrastructure, and development. These efforts position Cyprus as a bridge between the European Union and emerging partners across Eurasia and Africa—a strategic move to diversify its diplomatic relationships and extend its external footprint.
Greece, meanwhile, has pursued a parallel strategy of structured engagement. Athens maintained dialogue with Ankara, reinforcing deterrence through defense cooperation and regional partnerships. The Greek government deepened ties with Israel and Egypt and strengthened its role as an energy and transport hub linking the Eastern Mediterranean with the Balkans and Central Europe. The agreement between Greece and ExxonMobil on natural gas exploration and liquefied natural gas cooperation has provided a stable foundation for the U.S.-Greece energy relationship, as reported by regional energy analysts.
Greece’s international profile received a significant boost with its service as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2025-2026 term. This role, according to diplomatic sources, grants Athens greater visibility and influence in discussions on peace, security, and international law. Greece has also hosted and participated in a slew of bilateral and multilateral initiatives, reinforcing its reputation as a predictable partner in regional coordination.
Looking ahead to 2026, both countries face critical tests that will determine whether their diplomatic positioning translates into sustained outcomes. Cyprus is set to assume the presidency of the Council of the European Union, placing it at the heart of European decision-making on security, energy resilience, and external relations. This role will give Cyprus greater capacity to connect European priorities with developments in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.
For Greece, 2026 will see continued engagement with Turkey, with both countries planning to schedule the next meeting of the High-Level Cooperation Council in the first quarter of the year. Athens and Washington are also preparing to hold their Strategic Dialogue in Greece, underscoring the continuity of bilateral coordination. Technical talks between Greece and Tripoli-based authorities on maritime and political issues are expected to begin in early 2026, alongside a Greek business mission to Benghazi.
The first quarter of 2026 may also include an informal five-party meeting on the Cyprus problem in New York, following renewed momentum after the election of Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman. These developments, if successful, could mark a turning point in longstanding regional disputes.
But it’s not just diplomacy where Greece is making waves. On December 16, 2025, the Amphitheater of the National Gallery – Alexandros Soutzos Museum in Athens played host to the one-day conference ‘Museums in Transition: Tools, Practices and Vision for 21st-Century Museums.’ The event, attended by Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni, focused on the presentation of the ‘Knowledge Base of the Greek Museum Recognition and Certification System’—a modern tool supporting the qualitative upgrading, institutional strengthening, and sustainable development of Greek museums.
The Knowledge Base, funded through the NSRF (ESPA) with a budget of €390,000, includes eleven Museum Guides designed as user-friendly resources for professionals, students, small museums, and experienced staff. These guides, grounded in the principles of museum organization and enriched with examples from Greek and international experience, are intended to serve as a dynamic point of reference for the museum community.
Minister Mendoni emphasized the broader mission: “Our objective from the very beginning of this effort was clear: to establish on a solid foundation a unified, reliable framework for the operation of Greek museums, in order to enhance transparency, the quality of their services, the effectiveness of their operation, and their sustainability.” She added, “Our museums – public and private, small and large – are facing increasingly complex challenges. It is no longer sufficient simply to safeguard and exhibit their collections. They are called upon to engage in dialogue with the public, to adapt flexibly to necessary changes, and to place particular emphasis on issues of access, diversity, and inclusion.”
As of 2025, approximately 500 museums operate in Greece, with half under the Ministry of Culture. More than 40 museums managed by third-party bodies have voluntarily initiated or completed the recognition process of the new system, a testament to the growing trust in these reforms. The Integrated Information System for Certification and Recognition procedures, now fully operational, is already reducing processing times, enhancing transparency, and ensuring better coordination between the Ministry’s services and museum organizations.
During the conference, Recognition Marks were awarded to the National Historical Museum and the Vranas Olive Press Museum, while Certification Marks went to the Archaeological Museum of Argos Orestiko and the Byzantine Museum of Kastoria. These awards highlight the tangible progress being made as Greek museums adapt to the demands of the 21st century.
Taken together, the past year’s developments in diplomacy and culture reveal a Greece and Cyprus that are no longer content to play supporting roles. Through strategic partnerships, expanded outreach, and a commitment to institutional excellence, both countries are actively shaping their futures—on the world stage and at home. The choices they make in the coming year will determine whether their current momentum translates into lasting influence and stability for the region.