Nicosia, Cyprus. European Council President Antonio Costa said military support from Greece, France, Italy and Spain to Cyprus after the island was hit by an Iranian-made drone last week showed European autonomy and solidarity.
Costa highlights EU member states’ response
Costa told the European Union’s ambassadors’ conference on Tuesday that the rapid response from Greece, France, Italy and Spain, sending military forces to protect Cyprus, was a powerful example of European autonomy and steadfast solidarity.
He said the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is of the utmost concern and that while Iran is responsible for the root causes of the situation, unilateralism can never be the path forward. He added that attacks by Iran and its proxies, including Hezbollah, against neighbours, including Cyprus, must stop.
Call with Christodoulides ahead of European Council summit
After his speech, Costa held a telephone conversation with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides to discuss the conflict.
Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said Christodoulides will extensively brief EU leaders on the latest developments in the region at the next European Council summit in Brussels on Thursday next week. Letymbiotis said Christodoulides will also refer to initiatives and actions by the Republic of Cyprus related to regional stability and security.
Letymbiotis added that Christodoulides and Costa discussed the conflict’s impacts on the broader region of the eastern Mediterranean and Europe.
Solidarity messages from EU institutions
Costa’s comments followed expressions of solidarity from the heads of the European Commission and the European Parliament after Cyprus was hit by an Iranian-made drone last week.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the ambassadors’ conference on Monday that she wished to reaffirm full solidarity with Cyprus. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola told the plenary session on Monday that Cyprus would never be alone.
What do you think EU leaders should prioritise at next week’s European Council summit on the Middle East conflict?