Brussels: Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, highlighted the strategic significance of the Middle East as a key agenda item for the European Council, emphasizing its proximity to the European Union. Speaking ahead of the Monday General Affairs Council meeting, she outlined Cyprus’s role in fostering EU relations in the region.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Raouna stated, “Cyprus aims to act as the European Union’s footprint in the region,” underscoring the volatile nature of the Middle East, which neighbors both Cyprus and the EU. She mentioned Cyprus’s efforts in humanitarian aid, such as the maritime corridor from Cyprus to Gaza, and expressed readiness to support reconstruction efforts. Raouna also referred to the six-point plan for implementing US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan, as presented by Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides.
Raouna discussed the Council’s agenda, highlighting “a very important discussion on the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), EU-UK relations, the 2026 European Commission programme, and rule of law dialogues.” She stressed the importance of maintaining strong support for Ukraine in light of Russian aggression, noting the need for continued financial support and a legally viable method to use frozen assets.
On the new MFF, Raouna described it as “a key discussion among leaders,” emphasizing its importance for a new Europe. She stated that advancing negotiations on the MFF will be a top priority during Cyprus’s upcoming EU Presidency, with a goal to reach an agreement by the end of 2026. She also advocated for including the Pact for the Mediterranean on the leaders’ agenda, highlighting its strategic importance for EU autonomy.
Regarding EU-UK relations, Raouna anticipated updates from Commissioner ‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬¦ efcovic and stressed the importance of implementing existing agreements. She expressed that maintaining EU-UK relations will be a priority during Cyprus’s Presidency.
Raouna touched on the 7th Intergovernmental Conference for Albania, noting its significance in opening all clusters in Albania’s accession negotiations. She praised Albania’s progress and emphasized that enlargement will be a priority under the Cyprus Presidency, focusing on tangible results for Albania and other candidate countries.