Cyprus Foreign Ministry requests €137.75 million budget for 2027

Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos has requested a €137.75 million budget for the ministry for 2027, representing a 4% increase over 2026 and a 34.9% increase since the current government took office in 2023.

The proposed budget allocates €118.47 million to recurrent expenditures and €19.27 million to development expenditures. Within the recurrent spending, €18 million is designated for the Republic of Cyprus’s contribution to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). Development funds will support contributions to international organizations such as the World Health Organization and UNICEF, as well as humanitarian aid and property acquisitions for diplomatic missions.

Minister Kombos noted that recent budget increases have already facilitated the hiring of 57 new diplomats, reducing the number of diplomatic missions staffed by only a single person from 34 in 2023 to 25. He indicated that an additional 15 diplomats are expected to be hired.

Addressing the geopolitical landscape, Kombos highlighted the impact of the war in Ukraine and hybrid attacks on EU stability. He also commented on Turkey’s growing regional influence through drone diplomacy and cultural outreach, while affirming Cyprus’s commitment to its Western orientation and strengthening strategic ties with the US, France, the UK, Israel, and India.