Nicosia, Cyprus. President Nikos Christodoulides said efforts were made to prevent Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa from participating in last week’s summit of European and regional leaders in Nicosia. He said al-Sharaa attended after accepting Cyprus’ invitation.
Christodoulides’ remarks on al-Sharaa’s participation
Christodoulides said al-Sharaa, alongside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan, attended last Friday’s informal European Council summit following Christodoulides’ invitation. He told reporters he considered the acceptance of the invitation important.
Christodoulides said he had information that some had tried to prevent al-Sharaa’s participation, but that al-Sharaa chose to attend, spoke publicly, and raised during discussions his view on developments in relations between the European Union and Syria.
Cyprus’ role and focus on outcomes
Christodoulides said Cyprus, as the European Union member state in the region, continues to play a substantial role oriented towards results. He said results were the priority.
He also said Syria is a neighbouring state to the Republic of Cyprus and that Syria is included in Cyprus’ efforts to bring the European Union closer to the region.
Foreign minister visit and regional context
Christodoulides said Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos had been the first foreign minister to visit Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad. The report noted Kombos was among the first, visiting Damascus on February 20 last year, while Turkey’s Hakan Fidan visited the city on December 22, 2024.
The report said the incumbent Syrian government’s close relations with Turkey may offer an indication regarding whom Christodoulides was referring to when he said some had tried to prevent al-Sharaa from visiting Cyprus.
Al-Sharaa’s visit to Turkey
The report said al-Sharaa’s second foreign visit as Syrian president was to Turkey, with his first foreign visit having been to Saudi Arabia. During the visit to Turkey, he met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and said Turkey’s honourable and positive support for the just cause of the Syrian people served as a strong example of brotherhood between the two countries.
What do you think the participation of regional leaders in the Nicosia summit could mean for European Union relations in the region?
