The handling of the situation by President Nikos Christodoulides amid mounting tensions in the Middle East has been effective, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, affirming that the European Union stands firmly with the island in regard to security matters.

“The security of Cyprus is the security of the European Union,” she said at a press conference with European Council President Antonio Costa, following Thursday’s summit in Brussels.

Von der Leyen underlined that Cyprus had been affected by the Iran war “more than any other member state” and commended Christodolides for his leadership of the situation, emphasising that normality and security now prevail in Cyprus.

“The EU has strengthened partnerships with neighbors in the region and, most importantly, we are united as Europeans, we know that when we act together, we are stronger,” she said.