Cyprus’s Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna voiced serious concern over the expansion of Israeli military operations and condemned the violation of Qatar’s territorial integrity, as CNA reported. She reiterated Cyprus’s call for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages and large scale, unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza. She said Hamas is a terrorist organisation and should have no role in Gaza’s future, and backed a peace process based on a two state solution under relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
On Ukraine, Raouna condemned Russia’s continued attacks on civilians and expressed solidarity with Poland and Romania after recent airspace violations. She said the EU must respond clearly and firmly to any such breaches and reaffirmed that borders cannot be changed by force.
Raouna highlighted Cyprus’s humanitarian role, noting the recent delivery of 1,200 tonnes of aid to Gaza through the Amalthea maritime corridor, with another shipment expected this month.
On security and defence, she said Cyprus awaits the European Commission’s roadmap to meet the EU defence readiness goal by 2030. She called the SAFE programme an important tool in cooperation with like minded partners and said countries that oppose EU security interests should not participate.
Housing will be a headline issue at the October European Council and a priority for the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU. Raouna welcomed plans for a European Affordable Housing Plan and announced that Cyprus will host an informal Council of Ministers on 11 to 12 May 2026 to present the plan.
On the rule of law, she backed the structured dialogue as a chance for member states to act decisively, noted progress in the 2025 report and said further work is needed. For Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, she called the Commission’s assessments balanced and useful as roadmaps.
On legislative programming, she welcomed a focus on strengthening EU autonomy and integration across energy and security, including maritime and water security. She urged simpler procedures to help small firms and innovation, stressed energy interconnectivity as a Cypriot Presidency priority, and called for protection of all EU borders including the Eastern Mediterranean. She also underlined the value of stronger relations with partner countries through trade agreements and said implementation of the Mediterranean Agreement will begin during the Cypriot Presidency.
Before the meeting, Raouna took part in the Intergovernmental Conference that opened the fourth cluster of negotiating chapters for Albania. She welcomed the country’s progress and said enlargement will be a core priority of the upcoming Cypriot Presidency.
