European Commission president links regional stability in the Eastern Mediterranean directly to progress on the Cyprus issue and renewed UN-led talks.
Outlining the main challenges facing the European Union during a period of rising geopolitical uncertainty and energy pressure, the President of the European Commission says the answer lies in unity, faster progress on the energy transition, and a stronger international role. She also speaks about the importance of the Eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus’s role connecting the region with Europe, and the need to restart talks on the Cyprus issue under United Nations leadership.
What would you say is the most significant existential challenge facing the European Union today, if you had to choose only one: demographic aging, the inability of the European economy to stay competitive, strategic dependence, or political strain within the Union?
We face these challenges together as a Union in an uncertain world. The key question is whether we can handle all of them at the same time with confidence, unity, and ambition. The history of the Union shows that crises have often pushed us forward.
We should start with our strengths. Europe is home to world-class industries and innovators. Our social market economy, strong public healthcare systems, high-quality education, and resilient infrastructure give us a foundation few can match.
We have the capital, talent, and expertise to get through today’s challenges and come out stronger. We also have public support. Trust in the EU has reached some of its highest levels in recent years, based on Eurobarometer surveys. This unity is already turning into action. Externally, the EU is expanding its network of reliable partners and working on trade agreements around the world, from Mercosur and India to Malaysia. Internally, we are investing heavily in innovation, clean domestic energy, and European defense, while removing barriers that slow businesses and divide our market.
So the real question is whether we are ready to tackle everything together. If we are, each challenge can become an opportunity to strengthen integration, improve our economic model, and reinforce Europe’s role globally.
The European Union often speaks about its geopolitical role and strategic influence. Yet it sometimes appears divided on key foreign policy issues and has had limited influence on developments in the Middle East. What are the real limits of European influence, and what role can the EU play under current conditions?
The war in Iran has had major effects across the Middle East. From the start, we have been involved in efforts to reach lasting peace, working closely with partners across the region. Several Mediterranean partners joined our leaders’ meeting this week in Cyprus.
We have built strategic partnerships with countries in the region such as Egypt and Jordan. In 2024, I visited Egypt with European leaders, including President Christodoulides, to sign a comprehensive strategic partnership. We are planning further cooperation, including an upcoming EU–Gulf Cooperation Council summit.
Europe is part of the solution through diplomacy, humanitarian support, and ongoing coordination with key players. In a fast-changing world, partners look for reliability and stability, and they turn to us for both.
Cyprus, at the southeastern edge of the Union, has consistently and reliably acted as a bridge between our southern Mediterranean neighbours and the EU. The same applies to the Cypriot presidency. Our meeting with regional leaders during the informal European Council in Cyprus was productive and important.
At the same time, we need to address our own limits. The requirement for unanimity in foreign policy has often restricted our ability to act decisively. Moving toward qualified majority voting would help prevent the deadlocks we have seen before. Recent elections in Hungary suggest some positive momentum in that direction, and we should build on it.
Following the recent release of the Commission’s “toolbox” to reduce energy prices, is energy isolation a real risk if the current situation continues for a long time?
We are in an energy crisis, and people and businesses feel the impact every day. That is why we introduced a flexible toolbox that can address different needs, since each Member State has its own energy mix and challenges.
The toolbox includes short-term measures, such as better coordination when refilling gas reserves and managing possible disruptions in aviation fuel and diesel supply.
At the same time, we must keep moving forward with our medium- and long-term energy goals. Today’s decisions will shape how well we handle future crises. The path forward is clear. We need stronger domestic, affordable, and reliable energy. That will give us independence and security.
The only lasting way to reduce dependence on fossil fuels is to modernize by shifting electricity production to renewable and nuclear energy, along with faster electrification of the economy.
By summer, we will present an Electrification Action Plan with a clear target so we can track progress. What gets measured gets delivered.
You have called on Member States to complete work on the European networks package to expand the electricity grid. Is the GSI project still part of this plan?
We have asked co-legislators to speed up negotiations on the European electricity networks package introduced in December. To transform our energy system, it needs to be approved by summer.
The Great Sea Interconnector is one of the eight “Energy Networks of High Strategic Importance” in the package, confirming its top strategic importance for the EU and our commitment to completing it. We are working to move these projects forward faster through stronger political coordination and targeted measures.
Regarding the EU Regional Firefighting Hub planned for the island, has there been progress? Will it only coordinate efforts, or will additional aircraft be stationed there?
We are making strong progress, and I look forward to its opening later this year. The hub will act as a key defense against wildfires while strengthening preparedness across the Eastern Mediterranean, where climate risks increasingly require coordinated action. It is a clear example of regional cooperation and part of the Mediterranean Pact.
Six firefighting aircraft will be based there, with leasing costs co-funded by the EU. There is room for more aircraft in the future, and we are working with Cyprus on that. It will also function as a center for best practices and knowledge sharing.
Once operational, the hub will mark real progress in protecting Europe from wildfires and show solidarity with partners in the Middle East. I sincerely thank Cyprus and President Christodoulides for their leadership.
On the Cyprus problem, the appointment of an EU Special Envoy is still pending after Johannes Hahn’s resignation. Has there been progress? Is a name expected soon? There has also been movement on EU–Turkey issues, yet no progress on Cyprus.
A comprehensive, fair, and lasting solution that aligns fully with United Nations Security Council resolutions and EU law, based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, remains a top priority.
Regional stability and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean are closely tied to resolving the Cyprus problem. For that reason, it remains very high on our agenda. The next EU Special Envoy will focus fully on this issue. The selection process is ongoing.
How does the EU contribute in a meaningful way to solving such a critical issue, especially at a time when its credibility is being tested?
We continue working toward this goal in line with European Council conclusions, our political mandate, and the Treaty. The path forward runs through restarting negotiations under United Nations leadership, and we are ready to take part actively using all available tools.
We also support efforts toward reunification by encouraging contact, dialogue, confidence-building measures, and mutual understanding. In this context, the European Union is the largest donor to the Committee on Missing Persons.
