European Council summit held in Nicosia under Cypriot presidency

EU leaders gathered in Nicosia, Cyprus, for an informal European Council meeting to discuss strategic autonomy, defence, and regional stability. During the summit, President Nikos Christodoulides secured consensus on developing a structured operational plan for the activation of Article 42.7, the EU’s mutual defence clause. Leaders focused on energy security and the impact of the Middle East crisis, hosting representatives from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the Gulf Cooperation Council. Furthermore, President Christodoulides, alongside the Presidents of the European Commission and Parliament, signed the 'One Europe, One Market' roadmap to bolster EU competitiveness. The Cypriot presidency announced plans to present a concrete financial framework for the EU’s multiannual budget by the June summit. Discussions also addressed regional partnerships and the need for adequate financial resources to sustain long-term European strategic autonomy. The initiative to invite regional leaders was widely praised as a strategic step to manage geopolitical tensions and consequences of the crisis with Iran.