Strasbourg, France. Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said on Tuesday that unity is the European Union’s greatest strength and that only joint action across institutions and member states can turn unity into action. He was outlining Cyprus’ priorities during its presidency of the Council of the EU to the European Parliament.
Unity and an autonomous Union
Christodoulides said the Cyprus EU presidency had begun at an inflection point for the bloc, calling for an autonomous Union that is open to the world. He said that while the EU was not perfect, it had the ability to evolve and unite in times of great challenges.
International crises and the global order
Referring to international crises including Ukraine, the Middle East and climate change, Christodoulides said the international order relied upon for decades is no longer a given. He said a more autonomous Union is one with the internal strength to cooperate whenever possible and act independently whenever necessary.
Five priorities for Cyprus’ EU council presidency
Christodoulides outlined five pillars for Cyprus’ priorities: defence, competitiveness, enlargement, affordable housing and budget.
Security, borders and Arctic focus
Speaking about Ukraine and Greenland, Christodoulides said that if the principle that force cannot redraw borders fails, then everything becomes negotiable, whether in Ukraine, in Greenland, or anywhere else. He said the EU must build a stronger European security architecture with urgency, including strengthening Arctic security.
Support on the Cyprus problem
Welcoming Christodoulides to the European Parliament session, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said Cyprus could continue to count on the institution’s support for the Cyprus problem.
What do you think should be the European Union’s top priority during Cyprus’ presidency of the Council of the EU?