Yerevan, Armenia. President Nikos Christodoulides highlighted a shifting European security landscape on Monday while moderating a high-level panel at the European Political Community summit.
Security environment and regional spillovers
Opening the discussion on maintaining European coherence and unity in times of polycrisis, Christodoulides said Europe is undergoing a fundamental transformation in its security environment, with threats ranging from conventional warfare to hybrid challenges that extend beyond European Union borders and require a “whole-of-Europe” response.
He pointed to escalating tensions in the Middle East as a reminder that instability in Europe’s neighbourhood affects the continent, including energy security and maritime routes. He said a credible European security policy must be anchored in a 360-degree perspective, adding that developments in Ukraine, the Middle East and the Western Balkans are strategic concerns for the entire continent.
Leaders on the panel
The panel included the heads of government of Italy, France and the United Kingdom, as well as the President of the European Commission.
Calls for resilience, unity and strategic autonomy
Christodoulides underlined the need to strengthen dialogue, cooperation and collective resilience amid geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty and increasing pressure on democratic institutions. He described the EPC as an appropriate forum to address these challenges, particularly in maintaining European unity and reinforcing continental security.
He also said enhancing Europe’s strategic autonomy is a responsibility, including strengthening its industrial base and deepening partnerships with countries such as Canada to ensure Europe can act when necessary.
Issues raised in questions
During the discussion, Christodoulides posed questions to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Europe’s strategic role in a complex geopolitical environment, migration pressures and their link to security, the evolution of European strategic autonomy, and cooperation on challenges including Ukraine and maritime security in areas such as the Strait of Hormuz.
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