The President of the Republic, Mr. Nicos Christodoulides, referred to the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU on the issues of combating drugs during the thematic discussion entitled "European Alliance to Fight Drugs" held in the framework of the Summit of the European Political Community (EPC), in Yerevan, Armenia.
In his intervention, President Christodoulides, in front of the leaders present at the Summit, pointed out the need for collective action aimed at combating drug trafficking, especially through European ports, underlining the need to strengthen collective action.
At the same time, he informed about the EU strategy on drugs adopted by the Council last March, under the Cyprus Presidency, as well as on the promotion of the implementation of the relevant EU action plan.
He added that a large part of the actions should focus on prevention, while pointing out the commitment to protecting European citizens from drugs and their consequences, including the fight against smuggling networks.
The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, and the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, submitted specific suggestions in the discussion, on whose initiative the European Alliance Against Drugs (ECAD) was established at the previous Copenhagen Summit. The Republic of Cyprus co-signs a declaration in which three main axes of focus are agreed: combating trafficking (especially by sea), tackling financial crime and reducing demand. Priority is given to port security and maritime surveillance, while prevention, treatment and reintegration policies are promoted, with an emphasis on vulnerable groups and new threats such as synthetic drugs.
Cyprus, in the context of the Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2026, attaches particular importance to:
-strengthening the link between policy initiatives and operational implementation;
-promoting a balanced approach that combines safety and public health;
-and strengthening cooperation with neighbouring regions.
Cyprus seeks to actively contribute to a more coherent and effective European approach.
