Strasbourg: Unity is our greatest strength, President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, emphasized as he presented the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU before the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides underscored the need for collective action, stating, "Europe's Future, our Future, will ultimately be measured by our ability to act Together. Unity is our greatest strength. And only by acting Together, across institutions and across Member States, we can translate Unity into Action." He highlighted that the Cyprus Presidency begins at a crucial moment for the Union, necessitating united action for a more autonomous and globally open Union.
The Presidency's agenda is organized around five interconnected pillars. The first pillar focuses on Autonomy through Security, Defense, and Readiness. President Christodoulides pointed out that Russia's aggression against Ukraine underscores the urgent need to bolster the European Security Architecture and Defense Readiness. As the EU's last member state under occupation, Cyprus understands the importance of security, he noted.
The second pillar, Autonomy through Competitiveness, addresses Europe's challenges of geoeconomic competition, strained supply chains, and rapid technological change. President Christodoulides called for a pragmatic and focused response rooted in the real economy.
The third pillar envisions an Independent Union open to the world, with enlargement at its core. President Christodoulides emphasized that enlargement remains the Union's most powerful geopolitical tool, extending beyond mere territorial expansion. He reflected on Cyprus's EU accession in 2004, which brought prosperity and opportunities, and noted the unfulfilled promise of reunification.
Engagement with the Southern Neighbourhood and the Gulf is a strategic priority, he added, highlighting the New Pact for the Mediterranean as a vital cooperation framework.
The fourth pillar is a Union of Values that leaves no one behind. President Christodoulides addressed pressing social challenges like affordable housing and emphasized the need for the next Multiannual Financial Framework to deliver on defense, security, competitiveness, sustainability, resilience, and cohesion.