Dialogos

Christodoulides: “Arab League Can Enhance EU-Middle East Cooperation”

Published January 8, 2026, 11:02
Christodoulides: “Arab League Can Enhance EU-Middle East Cooperation”

President Christodoulides emphasized that bringing the European Union closer to the Middle East is a key priority of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU, and that the Arab League can play a significant role in this effort. He stated this during the welcoming of the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit. The President referred to the Informal European Council to be held on April 23 and 24, where specific projects and initiatives to strengthen EU-Middle East cooperation will be presented, through the EU Pact. He expressed his satisfaction with the recent visit of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, to Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, which took place following his recommendation. He also mentioned the successful EU-Egypt Summit and the high-level EU-Jordan Council. President Christodoulides stated that he is working to start discussions for a strategic agreement with Lebanon and the wider Middle East, including the Gulf countries, highlighting the common challenges and the great prospects for cooperation.