Cyprus president urges EU to deepen Middle East ties ahead of European Council summit

Nicosia, Cyprus. President Nikos Christodoulides said the European Union should strengthen ties with countries in the Middle East ahead of next week’s European Council summit in Cyprus. He said EU leaders will hold an expanded meeting with regional leaders during the two-day gathering.

Call to strengthen regional relations

Christodoulides said the Middle East and the Gulf are Europe’s neighbourhood and that Europe’s security is linked to the region. He said it was time to take decisive steps to further elevate EU relations with the Middle East and the Gulf across the board.

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Agenda includes de-escalation, navigation and energy impacts

He said EU leaders will discuss how the bloc can contribute to de-escalation in the wider Middle East and to freedom of navigation, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz. He added that leaders will also address the effects of the Middle East conflict on citizens’ lives, particularly on energy prices.

Budget framework and summit invitations

Christodoulides said the summit will also include discussions on the EU’s multiannual financial framework for 2028 to 2034, calling for the budget to reflect the bloc’s ambition and for leaders to provide political guidance on meeting that ambition. He also said he was proud that Cyprus currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU.

European Council President Antonio Costa sent invitations earlier this week to the leaders of the EU’s 27 member states and said the summit will also be attended by key regional partners.

What do you think should be the EU’s top priority in discussions with Middle East and Gulf partners?