Referring to a wide range of factors related to stability, security, connectivity, and energy sufficiency in the Mediterranean region, as well as in Europe more broadly, the President of the Republic, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, spoke during his remarks on thematic sessions at the 13th MED9 Summit, held in Split, Croatia, with the participation of the leaders of the MED9 member states, as well as the heads of EU institutions.
According to a written statement by the Director of the President’s Office, Victor Papadopoulos, during the discussion on preparations for the upcoming European Council, the President of the Republic raised issues concerning Europe’s energy security and the Republic of Cyprus’s contribution in this area, issues related to Cyprus’s connectivity with the rest of Europe as its southeasternmost point, while also referring extensively to the critical issue of the Multiannual Financial Framework.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
President Christodoulides underscored the importance of the role of the Mediterranean EU member states in strengthening the Mediterranean dimension of the Union’s policies, starting with the new MFF, where adequate funding must be ensured for issues of concern to Mediterranean Member States, such as addressing migration, cohesion policy, the Common Agricultural Policy, connectivity, and infrastructure.
Referring to the GSI project, the President of the Republic emphasized the immense importance of this project, which is of the utmost interest to Europe, noting its benefits for the EU’s energy security and self-sufficiency, as well as its importance within the framework of IMEC.
He also referred to the good-neighborly relations maintained by the Republic of Cyprus with the states in the region, citing as an example the establishment of the Regional Firefighting Center in Cyprus (CRAFS) with the support of the European Commission and Cyprus’s contribution, through various initiatives, toward achieving stability and peace in the region.
During the second session, titled “Sustainable Mediterranean,” the President of the Republic outlined the Republic of Cyprus’s regional EMME-CCI initiative to address the consequences of climate change, while also highlighting the establishment of CRAFS as a concrete example of regional cooperation.
He also noted that at the core of Cyprus’s national approach is the strengthening of synergies and cooperation with countries in the region, with the aim of addressing common climate and environmental challenges.
Furthermore, during the working lunch, which also took place in the presence of the Crown Prince of Jordan, the situation in the Middle East was discussed, with President Christodoulides noting in his remarks, among other things, the need to support Jordan and Egypt as countries of critical importance to the region’s stability, the need for the EU to take action to prevent a security vacuum from emerging in Lebanon, as well as the important role of the Republic of Cyprus in humanitarian issues in the region, such as the “Amalthea” maritime corridor and its efforts to evacuate populations from war zones.
On the sidelines of the Summit, the President of the Republic held a bilateral meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, during which, among other things, discussed developments regarding the Cyprus issue and the remaining steps toward Cyprus’s full accession to the Schengen Area.
