Cyprus hosts informal European Council summit

Cyprus is hosting an informal European Council meeting on April 23-24 as part of its presidency of the Council of the EU. The event takes place in Nicosia and Ayia Napa, with leaders from 24 EU member states attending, alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, and Council President Antonio Costa. Notable absentees include the leaders of Hungary and Austria, while Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to participate. Regional leaders from Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria have been invited to join the discussions on Friday. The agenda focuses on Middle East developments, the activation of the EU’s article 42.7 collective defense clause, the ongoing energy crisis, and the Multiannual Financial Framework. Authorities have implemented strict security measures and traffic restrictions across Nicosia, Larnaca, and Famagusta provinces to accommodate the summit. The meetings aim to define political directions for future decisions at the June European Council.