Nicosia, Cyprus. President Nikos Christodoulides held a telephone conversation on Monday with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen amid escalating tensions between the European Union and the United States over Greenland. He said substantive EU decisions are expected at an extraordinary European Council on Thursday evening in Brussels.
Call with Denmark and wider implications
Christodoulides said the call focused on recent discussions between Denmark and the United States, as well as wider European and transatlantic implications.
Extraordinary European Council in Brussels
An extraordinary European Council will be held on Thursday in Brussels to discuss an EU response and renewed tariff threats from US President Donald Trump. The meeting was called on Monday by President of the European Council Antonio Costa.
Cyprus position on sovereignty
Christodoulides said Cyprus’ position on territorial integrity and state sovereignty is “firm and unchanged”, describing it as “non-negotiable”.
EU presidency role and preparatory talks
He said the role of the EU presidency was to act institutionally in both favourable and challenging circumstances, regardless of bilateral strategic relationships, including those with the United States. He said an initial exchange of views had taken place at a meeting of the permanent representatives committee on Sunday afternoon, but added that no decisions had yet been made.
In-person summit and next steps
Christodoulides said the decision to convene an in-person European Council rather than a videoconference indicated the seriousness with which the EU views the issue. He reiterated that Cyprus supports exhausting diplomatic channels before any countermeasures are adopted, adding that further decisions would depend on developments and outcomes of ongoing talks.
Nato and security considerations
He also referred to what he described as the involvement, directly or indirectly, of Nato, signalling that security considerations would form part of Thursday’s discussions.
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