Christodoulides travels to Brussels ahead of European Council summit

President Nikos Christodoulides is travelling to Brussels on Wednesday, ahead of the latest European Council summit.

The summit is set to officially begin on Thursday, and its agenda is set to contain matters such as the ongoing war in Ukraine and the crisis in Gaza, with Christodoulides expected to make reference to the Cypriot maritime humanitarian aid corridor initiative.

He is also expected to “underline the need for substantial European Union involvement to revive the political [peace] process in the Middle East, and support for neighbouring countries.”

Additionally, EU leaders are set to discuss enlargement of the bloc and the potential opening of accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova, and with Bosnia and Herzegovina under certain conditions.

The possibility of officially naming Georgia as a candidate state will also be discussed.

Speaking on the matter, Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said Cyprus “is expected to support the European Commission’s recommendations”, speaking of the “safeguarding of the meritocratic expansion process and the equal treatment of partners”.

While in Brussels, Christodoulides will also attend the EU-Western Balkans summit on Wednesday, which the European Council has described as “an opportunity to reaffirm the EU membership perspective of the Western Balkans”.

The meeting will aim at deepening political engagement with the region, advancing gradual integration, and building stronger economic and security foundations in those countries.

He will also attend a meeting of the European People’s Party on Thursday before the commencement of the European Council summit.