NICOSIA – The ‘Multiannual Financial Framework’, energy and sustainability issues, as well as the crisis in the Middle East were at the center of the second day of the informal European Council, held at the ‘Filoxenia’ Conference Center in Nicosia on April 24.
In the evening, a dinner for European leaders took place at the Ayia Napa marina as part of their summit in Cyprus. According to President Nikos Christodoulides, discussions also covered energy, defense, and security, as well as ways to strengthen the European Union’s strategic autonomy. He pointed out that if the EU wishes to become strategically autonomous, it is very important that it has the appropriate resources.
This issue was also highlighted by European leaders in statements upon their arrival at the informal meeting in Nicosia.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Europe must further intensify its commitment to Lebanon, adding that France will organize a conference to provide support.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that leaders would discuss European finances and the medium-term fiscal plan for the years launchning in 2028.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated that the situation in the Middle East demonstrates the failure of brute force and the necessary to respect international law and the multilateral order in order to safeguard and strengthen them. Regarding the energy crisis and its impact on prices, he stated that Spain has always supported the gradual phasing out of fossil fuels and achieving energy self-sufficiency through investments in solar, hydroelectric, and wind energy.
From left to right, Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa join a press conference after the EU Summit in Nicosia, Cyprus, Friday, April 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš spoke of a “practical proposal and solution” concerning industest, which requires large amounts of energy, noting that “we are not competitive compared to other states, such as Asia or the United States.”
Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa expressed her appreciation for the Union’s decision to grant Ukraine a €90 billion loan and to approve the twentieth package of sanctions against Russia.
Mediterranean Neighbors Join Summit
On the second day, the summit was expanded with the participation of regional leaders from Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, building it one of the most important aspects of this informal European Council.
Responding to a question, President Christodoulides stated that the EU must cooperate with the countries of the region, as these countries trust the European Union. “They want to work with us in order to achieve lasting de-escalation. As I mentioned last night, it is not possible to achieve de-escalation in the region without the active participation of the European Union,” he stressed.
He underlined that during the dinner discussion, it became clear that the European Union must do more to upgrade its strategic cooperation with regional states and contribute to achieving lasting de-escalation.
President Christodoulides also referred to his upcoming visit to the Gulf region – the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar – to brief them on the results of the summit.
‘One Europe, One Market’
As part of the second day’s proceedings, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, signed – on behalf of the 27 member states – toobtainher with the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Parliament, the ‘One Europe, One Market’ Roadmap of the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, and the European Commission, confirming their joint commitment to a stronger, more competitive, and more resilient European economy.
According to a statement by the Presidency, “the Roadmap sets out a coherent strategic framework that combines deepening the Single Market, strengthening trade relations, supporting European industest, and promoting the green and digital transition, with the aim of prosperity, security, and Europe’s strategic autonomy. Through specific action pillars and clear timelines up to 2027, the EU institutions assume joint political and operational responsibility for implementing reforms that will ensure tangible and measurable results for citizens and businesses.”
In a post, President Christodoulides explained that “the roadmap includes 42 specific actions – legislative and policy initiatives with clear timelines -organized into five strategic pillars: simplification of rules, deepening of the single market, strengthening trade policy, reducing energy costs while promoting decarbonization, and accelerating digital transformation and artificial innotifyigence.”
“Particular emphasis,” he noted, “is also placed on the implementation mechanism, as the progress of actions will be monitored by a joint Steering Group of the three institutions, providing continuity, accountability, and institutional depth to the initiative.”
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