Leaders from nine Mediterranean EU member states are set to meet in Paphos today for the MED 9 summit, with the Cyprus problem, regional conflicts, migration, climate change and competitiveness topping the agenda.
The summit, hosted by Cyprus for the first time, underscores the island nation’s growing role as a stabilising factor for the EU in the region.
The presence of Jordan’s King Abdullah II and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlights the significance of the gathering.
Participating countries include Cyprus, Greece, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Malta, Croatia and Slovenia.
Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis emphasised Cyprus’s stabilising role and humanitarian contributions in the region. He cited the establishment of the Amalthea maritime corridor as an additional route for delivering aid to Gaza civilians.
“We have demonstrated from the outset our stabilising role and significant humanitarian contribution, making the most of our excellent diplomatic relations with all states in the region, as well as our status as an EU member state,” Letymbiotis said.
The summit will commence with a working lunch focusing on EU-Jordan relations, followed by discussions on the situation in the Middle East. King Abdullah II is expected to provide a comprehensive briefing on the current situation on the ground before departing.
The second part of the summit will address broader European issues, including topics that will concern the EU as a whole in the coming period.
President Nikos Christodoulides is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with attendees, with the Cyprus issue expected to be a key topic.
These discussions precede a dinner in New York on Tuesday and the European Council meeting in Brussels the following Thursday.
