Larnaca will be the European Capital of Culture together with Leuven, Belgium, and Nikšić, Montenegro, as a country outside the European Union (EU). Winning the title of European Capital of Culture 2030 will have enormous benefits for Larnaca and Cyprus, offering visibility opportunities as well as great development prospects.

The Deputy Ministry of Culture, as the competent managing authority, organised the entire process of conducting the final phase of the competition from December 08 -11, 2025, in Cyprus.

In her speech, Vasiliki Kassianidou, deputy minister of culture, Cyprus, after congratulating both cities that have worked hard in recent years, claiming the title of European Capital of Culture 2030, said, "In the context of supporting the institution, the state proceeded to a significant increase in funding for the European Capital of Culture, raising the amount from EUR6.5 million to EUR10 million, thus giving a strong boost to the city that will win the title. The funding starts as early as 2026 and will continue until 2031, practically helping the city that will win to implement the ambitious vision it has prepared."

Kassianidou, further noted, "It gives us the opportunity to implement an important goal of the government of Nikos Christodoulides; to promote Cyprus as a gateway to Europe from the East, a bridge with Asia, but also with Africa, and as a crossroads of encounter of civilizations that have marked the history of humanity. We seek to highlight Cyprus as a hub of culture, leveraging the excellent relations with neighbouring states."

It is noted that the process is being completed just before Cyprus assumes the Presidency of the Council of the EU, within the framework of which the development of the institution of the European Capital of Culture after 2033 will emerge.

In his welcome address, Richard Kuehnel, director of delegations and communication, of the Member States of the European Commission, stated, “The European Commission was present at the selection meeting and can assure that all the rules were respected and that the decision is based on a rigorous and thorough analysis of the content of both candidacies in relation to the objectives and criteria of the EU action for the European Capitals of Culture.”

Referring to the two cities that participated in the final phase, he wished them to continue to promote further connections with the rest of Europe in order to put their own little stone in the EU edifice.

The mayor of the winning city, Andreas Vyras, thanked the team that worked for the success of Larnaca, who helped unite the city, change the way the city thinks and operates around culture, by planning cultural actions together with citizens, young people and the entire artistic community.