The Informal European Council under Cyprus EU Presidency concluded its first day deliberations at the Ayia Napa marina on Thursday.
President Nikos Christodoulides received the heads of state and government as well as the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was an invited guest of the Informal Council, and the Presidents of the EU institutions: the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
The outgoing Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán, as well as the Chancellor of Austria, Christian Stocker, did not attend the Council.
The central topic of discussion was geopolitical developments and how the EU should respond, as well as its contribution to de-escalating the crisis. The readiness of the Union to respond to security challenges was also addressed, including aspects related to Article 42.7 of the EU Treaty, which concerns the mutual defense clause.
At the same time, issues related to impacts on the energy sector were on the agena and how the EU can utilize the tools at its disposal. In this context, the President of the European Commission was expected to present proposals for measures to address energy-related impacts.
Today, Friday, 24 April, President Nikos Christodoulides will welcome the EU heads of state or government at the “Filoxenia” Conference Center in Nicosia at 8am (local time).
European partners will consult on the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), with the aim of providing political guidance to the discussions, oriented toward achieving progress that will allow for a political agreement by the end of the year.
The MFF is one of the most important and demanding dossiers inherited by the Cypriot Presidency. The goal of the Cypriot Presidency during the first quarter of 2026 was to complete the technical work and ensure a timely transition of negotiations to the political level, guided by maximizing its contribution to the mandate given by leaders at the European Council last December, to reach a political agreement by the end of 2026. This intermediate goal has been achieved.
At 12.10 a press conference will be held by the President of the European Council, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, and the President of the European Commission.
At 12.50 President Christodoulides will welcome regional leaders. Specifically, leaders from Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council have been invited.
The meeting and working lunch of the EU Heads of State or Government and regional partners is expected to begin at 13.05, while at 13.40 statements to the press will be made on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus, the European Union, and the regional partners.
The “Filoxenia” Conference Center will be able to accommodate up to 420 journalists.
CNA has learnt that on the sidelines of Friday’s session, President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, is expected to hold bilateral meetings with the President of Egypt and the President of Lebanon.
A selection of photos from Thursday's meeting can be seen below:
