Nicosia:President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, has urged European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to revisit the EU's mutual assistance clause. This request was made in a letter seeking to reinstate the clause on the EU agenda, along with updates on existing proposals and future plans.

According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides emphasized the significance of the mutual assistance provision, especially amid geopolitical uncertainties. Article 42.7 of the Lisbon Treaty obligates member states to aid any state facing armed aggression. The President expressed the necessity of resuming discussions within EU preparatory bodies.

The letter, dated October 20, underscores the urgency of the issue, highlighting recent geopolitical threats and the importance of collective EU action. The Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, which concluded on June 30, prioritized this issue following an incident involving Iranian drones on Cypriot soil. However, the matter has since been overshadowed by other EU priorities, such as the European budget negotiations and financial aid considerations for Ukraine.

Currently, discussions on Article 42.7 are not anticipated at upcoming EU leaders' summits, as confirmed by an EU official to POLITICO. Cyprus News Agency noted that it could not independently verify the contents of President Christodoulides's letter.