Brussels, Belgium. President Nikos Christodoulides said Cyprus has demonstrated in practice that European strategic autonomy is achievable, citing recent security cooperation with EU partners. He spoke in Brussels as he held meetings focused on the Cyprus issue and regional challenges.
Remarks on European strategic autonomy
Addressing policymakers at the European Policy Centre, Christodoulides said Cyprus had proven that “European autonomy is both feasible and real,” pointing to security cooperation with European partners following a drone incident on the island.
He said Cyprus “is not part of the conflict unfolding in the region,” adding that there had been “a single, isolated incident with a drone at the British bases.”
Christodoulides described the response from EU member states as unprecedented, saying Greece, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands reacted immediately to his request and deployed means and personnel to strengthen Cyprus’ defence and security. He added that “Cypriots will never forget this act of brave solidarity.”
He said the EU’s mutual defence clause under Article 42.7 was not formally triggered, but added that Cyprus had “essentially tried it” successfully and that it “could be the beginning of something much bigger for our Union.” He also said that “when one member state is attacked, the entire European Union is attacked.”
Meetings on Cyprus talks and regional developments
On the sidelines of the European Council, Christodoulides was due to meet United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, with the Cyprus problem, the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, and Cyprus’ foot and mouth disease outbreak on the agenda.
Ahead of his meeting with Guterres, he was expected to reaffirm Cyprus’ political will to resume talks from where they were interrupted in Crans Montana, warning that maintaining the current impasse “cannot be an option.”
Talks with von der Leyen were set to focus on support measures linked to the disease outbreak, as well as tourism and broader regional developments.
Cyprus EU Council presidency priorities
Christodoulides said Cyprus’ EU Council presidency would be “above all an opportunity” to strengthen Europe’s defence readiness and strategic autonomy.
He said efforts were under way to advance defence coordination, stressing that “the ability to rapidly and decisively deploy capabilities across Europe is essential.”
What do you think the EU should prioritise to strengthen defence readiness and strategic autonomy?