Press Releases

It is with great pleasure, contentment, and pride that we host the leaders of the Mediterranean countries of the European Union in Pafos. And I would like to thank my colleagues, because especially for some, their journey’s duration took longer than their short stay in Cyprus. 

However, they state their presence here today, because we all recognise the importance of cooperation and coordination among our countries within our European family. We all recognise that summits like the one today are necessary in order to contribute to our common goal, which is a more powerful, more competitive, strategically autonomous and resilient European Union, that can fulfil first and foremost the ambitions of the European citizens. 

I would also like to express my special thanks to the King of Jordan, who has honoured us as our guest for the largest part of the Summit, in order to discuss the situation in the ‒ sadly ‒ conflict-torn Middle East. Warm thanks are of course extended to our friend, the President of the European Commission, whose presence and contribution has been ‒ as always ‒ essential and valuable. 

Ladies and gentlemen, 

The goal of our meetings has been to ensure that the issues of concern in the Mediterranean will be included in a constructive and effective way at the epicentre of the European Union. Much more this year, a few weeks before the start of the new institutional cycle of the European Union, our discussion today has proven to be a great opportunity to coordinate and promote our common goals and priorities. 

In the same framework, it is important that we have broadened the thematic discussions of our countries at a ministerial level. In fact, we have increased the number of ministerial meetings to five and the relevant ministers have coordinated their positions on key issues such as Education, Agriculture, Energy, Culture and European Affairs. 

Dear friends, 

It is a fact that what is happening in the Mediterranean is directly affecting in a decisive way the entirety of the European Union. In this framework, the decision of the President of the European Commission to reinstate the Mediterranean portfolio at the new College of Commissioners, as well as the announcement of a new Pact for the Mediterranean create a new dynamic and underline the strategic importance in our region for the EU, including the relations with our Southern Neighbourhood partners. 

As I mentioned before, it was particularly significant that the King of Jordan was present at today’s Summit. And it is important because the European Union has a key role to play in the extremely significant region of the Middle East, with which it is adjacent and directly affected by. I would like to once again thank King Abdullah who accepted my invitation and for being here with us today. Jordan is a pillar of stability and security in the region and has a crucial role in the developments and efforts for establishing peace. Therefore, His Majesty’s perspective in the discussions, as the leader of a very important country in the region, has been especially valuable and helpful. 

As referred to today’s Declaration, the situation in the Middle East is a matter of great concern, as is the spread of the crisis in Lebanon. Our common goal and aspiration remains the cessation of all hostilities and the creation of the circumstances necessary to resume the political procedures in relation to the Middle East, for a solution on the basis of the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, as the only way to achieve viable and long lasting peace in the region.

We support the efforts by the United States of America and France, along with the Secretary-General of the UN to achieve ceasefire, and we call upon the full and immediate implementation of the Security Council Resolution 2735. At the same time, an immediate ceasefire in both Gaza and Lebanon, the release of all hostages as well as the provision of unimpeded humanitarian assistance are of utmost importance.

Moreover, we consider that it is imperative that the sovereignty both of Israel and Lebanon to be safeguarded, and we are ready to support the Palestinian Authority and Lebanon at an institutional and peoples level.

In this framework, we have discussed with the King and my colleagues specific ways in which humanitarian aid can reach Gaza. It should be reminded that our route, the Cyprus maritime corridor “Amalthea”, which we have implemented with the active support from our partners as well as the President of the European Commission, remains a reliable option, supporting other routes, primarily land routes but also air routes. 

At the same time, Cyprus continues to contribute in the repatriation of EU citizens and third country citizens from the area and will continue to do so, demonstrating in practice our role as a pillar of stability in the area. 

Ladies and gentlemen, 

Beyond the Middle East, a series of other important issues have been discussed at the Summit today that are reflected in the adopted Declaration. Our views not only converge in most issues, but I dare say they align in a creative and effective way as to the direction that we must follow at the European Union. 

In relation to the other major international war crisis, the illegal Russian invasion in the Ukraine, whose consequences we are experiencing intensely in Europe, our positions align and are in accordance with the International Law. We reaffirm our full support for the independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Ukraine, as well as our commitment to provide multi-dimensional support to the Ukraine and its people for as long as necessary. 

Dear friends, 

This year marks the tragic 50^th anniversary of the invasion and continued occupation by Turkey of European territory in Cyprus. I wish to express my thanks towards my colleagues for adopting precise wording in the Declaration which reflects this reality. The wording also reflects the position of the international community for the need to reunite the Republic of Cyprus, on the basis of a specific framework as defined in the relevant UN resolutions and in accordance to EU principles and values. 

We all agree that the Cyprus problem is a European problem and we underline that the practical contribution of Turkey in the reunification and successful conduct of negotiations is a key component for the promotion of Euro-Turkish relations, as it was decided at the European Council last April. 

Ladies and gentlemen, 

One of the issues we have discussed today and which will be on the agenda of the European Council in October and November in Budapest is Europe’s competitiveness, which is connected to a number of issues that affect European citizens’ everyday lives, such as the economy, energy, workers’ skills and many more. It is our common belief that competitiveness in Europe must be substantially strengthened. We welcome the importance that is given to this issue and we have decided to promote substantial actions to significantly strengthen European competitiveness in areas such as the European defence industry ‒which will in parallel strengthen the strategic autonomy of the Union‒ green and digital transition, the reduction of administrative burden, enhancement of the single market and many more. 

Another issue that is of great concern to the European Union ‒which will also be included in the agenda of the October European Council‒ and which is directly linked to the situation in the Middle East is Migration. 

It is a European challenge that requires a common European approach. We consider the effective implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum imperative, while at the same time emphasis should be given on the external dimension of the matter, in order for the root causes of illegal migration to be addressed, through strategic partnership with the transit and origin countries of migrants. 

In this framework, I have raised before my colleagues and will raise it in Brussels the issue of Syria and how we can ‒ always in cooperation with the UNHCR and all international partners ‒ create the conditions necessary to allow Syrians to return to their countries. 

An equally important issue, which also particularly affects Mediterranean countries is the challenges of climate change. The Mediterranean region is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including natural disasters, extreme weather conditions, desertification. To address these challenges, an enhanced regional cooperation between our region and the countries of South Europe must be achieved, as well as an enhancement of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and the relevant Crisis Response Funds.

Lastly, I would like to thank you for your presence here today and the especially useful and productive discussion, as well as our guests of honour, Ursula and the King of Jordan. I wish good luck to my friend Robert, as Slovenia will take over the presidency in 2025, and Andrej as Croatia will take over the presidency in 2026. 

(ΑS/GS)