President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides is participating in the European Council’s deliberations on Thursday, 23 October, two months before Cyprus assumes the Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026.
President Christodoulides will also take part in the European People’s Party (EPP) Summit, which precedes the main European Council meeting and focuses on preparing the discussions among EU leaders.
Subsequently, the President will arrive at the venue of the European Council and join the meeting of like-minded leaders on migration — an informal group of EU member states sharing similar views and approaches to migration and asylum policy — aiming to coordinate positions ahead of the main Council meeting.
The discussions at the European Council will focus on the situation in the Middle East, Ukraine, defence and security, as well as the social dimension of housing.
Regarding the Middle East, President Christodoulides will present to EU leaders the Republic of Cyprus’s comprehensive six-point plan for Gaza, which has already been submitted to the European Commission and EU partners.
The Cypriot Initiative for Gaza
The six-point plan for Gaza is linked to the implementation of the next phase of the agreement approved at the Sharm El Sheikh Summit and corresponds to specific provisions of the 20-point Peace Plan proposed by US President, Donald Trump. It aims to ensure Cyprus’s operational contribution to the peace process, leveraging its available tools and infrastructure — such as the “Amalthea” maritime humanitarian corridor and the “CYCLOPS” training center.
According to sources, under the proposed framework Cyprus would assume an active role in providing and inspecting humanitarian aid through the Limassol–Ashdod–Gaza corridor, in cooperation with the UN, the United Arab Emirates, and Israel. The plan also foresees the safe and transparent screening of goods, debris and rubble removal, and support for reconstruction efforts, utilizing maritime routes that pass through Cyprus.
At the same time, the initiative includes training programs under CYCLOPS for customs officers, inspectors, and security personnel, as well as strengthening the capacities of the Palestinian Authority.
The plan further envisages Cyprus’s contribution to an International Stabilisation Force, providing personnel and logistical support, while promoting Cyprus’s participation in an economic development plan for Gaza aimed at attracting investment and creating employment opportunities for sustainable and dignified recovery.
The strategic goal of the initiative is to strengthen the European Union’s role from that of a mere donor to an operational actor, with Cyprus serving as a bridge between Europe and the Middle East. The timing, ahead of Cyprus’s assumption of the EU Council Presidency in early 2026, is considered to be pivotal for advancing the next phase of the peace process and activating relevant EU mechanisms.
The next steps include sending a technical assessment mission to Cyprus for the “Amalthea” and “CYCLOPS” projects, as well as coordinating with interested parties and regional actors to fully integrate the plan’s provisions into the EU’s institutional framework and civil protection mechanisms.
Cyprus’s Positions on key issues
On Ukraine, the Council will reaffirm its commitment to continued economic and military support, with Nicosia fully endorsing Kyiv’s accession path based on EU criteria. President Christodoulides is expected to visit Kyiv in December, ahead of Cyprus’s 2026 EU Presidency.
In the field of defence and security, EU leaders will discuss Europe’s readiness by 2030 and the European Commission’s proposals to strengthen defence capabilities. Among other topics, they will consider implementing the SAFE plan, aimed at bolstering defence preparedness and joint procurement of weapons systems.
Cyprus is expected to stress the importance of protecting all European borders, including those of the southeastern Mediterranean, and the need for a unified security architecture.
Finally, the housing crisis will be discussed as a shared European challenge with social implications. Cyprus supports the creation of a pan-European strategy for affordable housing. In this context, an informal Ministerial Meeting on Housing is scheduled to take place in Cyprus on 11–12 May 2026, during the Cypriot EU Presidency.
(Source: CNA)
