The informal European Council under the Cyprus Presidency continues and concludes on Friday in Nicosia with a consultation on the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), and a meeting of the heads of state or government of the EU and regional partners.
Today, the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, will welcome the heads of state or government at the "Filoxenia" Conference Center in Nicosia at 8:35 a.m.
European partners will consult on the new MFF, with the aim of giving political direction to the discussions, geared towards achieving progress that would allow for a political agreement at the end of the year.
At 12:10 pm, the President of the European Council, the President of the Republic and the President of the European Commission will give a press conference.
At 12:50pm, President Christodoulides will welcome regional leaders. Specifically, the leaders of Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council have been invited to attend.
The meeting and working lunch of the heads of state or government of the EU and regional partners is expected to begin at 1:10 pm, while at 3:40 pm statements will be made to the press on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus, the European Union and the regional partners.
According to information, on the sidelines of Friday's meeting, President Christodoulides is expected to hold bilateral meetings with the President of Egypt and the President of Lebanon.
On Thursday, President Christodoulides welcomed the heads of EU member states, the Presidents of the Commission and the European Council, as well as the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky at the Ayia Napa marina.
A working dinner discussed geopolitical developments and the EU's response to them, and its contribution to the de-escalation of the crisis. The issue of the Union's readiness to respond to security challenges, including aspects related to Article 42.7 of the EU Treaty, which concerns the mutual defence clause, was also raised.
At the same time, issues related to the impacts on the energy sector and how the EU can utilize the tools at its disposal were discussed.
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