The position of the Republic of Cyprus regarding the SAFE funding tool has been adopted by the European Union, as announced by the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, on Thursday, shortly before the start of the European Council proceedings in Brussels. He stated that no third country that threatens or occupies the territories of a member state will be able to participate in European financial instruments for defence and security.
“I am pleased because our position concerning the participation of non-member states in the SAFE funding instrument has been adopted,” the President said, noting that “no third country, which occupies territories or threatens the security of member states, can under any circumstances participate in, or utilise, any European Union financial instruments in the field of defence and security.”
The President also referred to the strategic importance of the first European Union – Egypt Summit, stressing that “our country, along with Greece and some other Mediterranean states, have long supported the necessity of this strategic partnership.” He said that this cooperation was put into practice with the visit of the President of the European Commission to Cairo in 2024, in which he also participated, and continued yesterday with the first summit.
President Christodoulides pointed out that the President of Egypt requested the active involvement of the European Union in the implementation of the United States President’s plan for the issue of Gaza. He added that he had the opportunity to brief on the Republic of Cyprus’s plan, “a plan which was formulated after consultation with the President of the European Commission, with the United Arab Emirates, with Egypt, with Jordan, and with Israel.”
Briefing on the 6-Point Proposal
“Today, I have the opportunity within the framework of the European Council to present it in detail, asking my colleagues from the European Union to adopt the plan of the Republic of Cyprus as a European Union plan,” he stated.
He added that he also had the opportunity to refer to the Republic of Cyprus’s proposal within the European People’s Party, a plan which was also developed in consultation with the President of the Commission.
Responding to a question about the Gaza plan, he pointed out that “the response was very positive” from the European partners and that “during the tripartite meeting of the President of the Commission, the President of the Council, and the President of Egypt, the President of the Commission presented the Cypriot proposals as European proposals.”
“What needs to be done now is to work so that these proposals are implemented in combination with other existing proposals, so that the American President’s plan can be implemented. Because if this plan is not implemented, and we do not move to the next phase, you understand the risks involved with a new crisis in the region and who, at the end of the day, will suffer the consequences,” he said.
He added that the EU cannot discuss, for example, the migration issue while at the same time neglecting the wider Middle East region, given that a significant number of migrants come from the area.
Goals of the Cypriot Presidency
Referring to the forthcoming Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU in less than 70 days from now, the President stressed that during the Cypriot Presidency, they will work so that the Pact for the Mediterranean is transformed from a text into concrete actions towards the wider Mediterranean and Middle East region, practically showing that the European Union has a voice and a role in the new region.
He added that Cyprus’s goal during the Presidency is to strengthen the European Union’s strategic autonomy in all sectors – in defence, security, raw materials, tackling bureaucracy, and digital transition.
He also expressed satisfaction that for the first time, the European Council will potentially discuss the issue of housing, characterising it as a “major European challenge.”
“A pan-European problem, an issue that some argue is more the competence of the member states, but since it concerns all European states and following the discussions on the multiannual financial framework, we expect the Commission to present and develop a funding tool in the near future that can be utilised by all member states,” he noted.
Sanctions Against Russia
Referring to the war in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides stated that “the 19th package of sanctions towards Russia has been adopted.” He mentioned that “there are the American sanctions, which mainly concern the energy sector, and proposals have been submitted by leaders of European Union member states that can replace the energy which, based on the United States’ sanctions, cannot be channelled to Europe.”
Referring to the issue of a meeting between the American President and the Russian President, he noted that if the discussion concerns the Ukrainian issue, “I believe that the President of Ukraine must be present, because the future of his country cannot be discussed without his presence.”
Answering a question, the President stated that the sanctions imposed so far have been effective.
“If certain associated states or countries that want to become members of the European Union followed the EU sanctions, then certainly all decisions and sanctions would be much more effective,” he said.
Responding to another question, he clarified that there was no discussion whatsoever on the sidelines of the European People’s Party discussions about the voting process in the occupied territories.
“I had the opportunity with some of my counterparts at a bilateral level to discuss this development. You understand that we will all be judged at the negotiating table,” he concluded.
(information from CNA)
