Speaking from Brussels, President Nikos Christodoulides said European strategic autonomy is no longer a theoretical concept but something that can function under real crisis conditions. He argued that Cyprus effectively tested EU solidarity after the recent drone incident near the British bases.
He stressed that the Republic of Cyprus is not a party to the wider regional conflict and said the country’s long-term role remains humanitarian: a safe haven and a stabilizing actor. He also described the swift response by partners such as Greece, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands as historic.
According to Christodoulides, even without a formal activation of Article 42.7, the response by member states showed how mutual assistance can work in practice. His central political point was clear: when one member state is attacked, the Union as a whole is affected.
He linked that message to priorities of the Cypriot EU presidency, saying Nicosia wants to give practical substance to defense readiness, military mobility and faster joint decision-making.
He also addressed enlargement, noting that work related to Montenegro, Albania, Ukraine and Moldova is advancing, with enlargement still viewed as a core EU tool for stability and security across Europe.
