Rafaela Dimitriadi
A strong message that Cyprus is a safe country is being sent through the arrival of world leaders for the Informal Meeting of EU Heads of State and Government, as well as the EU’s informal summit with regional partners, set to take place on the island on April 23 and 24, according to Deputy Government Spokesperson Yiannis Antoniou.
As reported, only two leaders, those of Hungary and Austria, will be absent, citing domestic issues.
Speaking to “Diaspora News” and journalist Oriana Papantoniou, Antoniou stressed that the very image of so many leaders gathering in Cyprus sends a powerful signal about the country’s level of security.
“We want to build on this image not just for communication purposes, but in substance as well,” he said, pointing to key tourism markets such as Germany and Poland. “We want this message to reach those countries loud and clear.”
The informal summit on Thursday, April 23, will be held at the Ayia Napa Marina.
In a social media post, President Nikos Christodoulides said he was “truly pleased that our Presidency is progressing normally” and expressed pride in what he described as “significant results so far.”
Geopolitics at the forefront
Geopolitical developments, and how the EU should respond, will dominate discussions, with a focus on the bloc’s role in helping de-escalate ongoing crises.
Leaders are also expected to examine the EU’s readiness to respond to security challenges, including provisions under Article 42(7) of the Treaty on European Union, the so-called mutual defense clause. The issue has drawn particular attention in Cyprus following the recent attack on the British bases in Akrotiri, which prompted President Christodoulides to raise the clause.
Energy will also be high on the agenda, especially the impact of current developments on the sector and how the EU can use its tools to respond. The president of the European Commission is expected to present proposals aimed at easing pressure on energy systems.
Macron’s visit seen as key moment
The visit of French President Emmanuel Macron is being described as a significant moment for Cyprus.
“A country like France, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, plays an important role in advancing our goals, particularly in efforts to create the conditions for resolving the Cyprus issue,” Antoniou said.
The government hopes the meeting will deliver concrete outcomes, with discussions expected to cover energy, defense and regional security.
“In essence, this will reaffirm at a bilateral level the strategic alignment between the Republic of Cyprus and France on a range of critical issues,” Antoniou added. “We want tangible results, with clear timelines.”
Energy and maritime security remain top priorities for Cyprus, areas in which France is also heavily invested.
Zelensky to attend
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also expected to attend the summit and will brief EU leaders in person during the two-day meeting.
Bilateral meeting with Lithuania
President Christodoulides is also set to meet with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda at the Presidential Palace. The two leaders will first hold a private meeting, followed by expanded talks between their respective delegations.
Tight security and traffic disruptions
Security will be significantly heightened across the island due to the summit, with police rolling out extensive measures, including temporary road closures.
On April 23 and 24, short traffic stoppages are expected both in urban areas across three districts and on the Nicosia–Larnaca and Larnaca–Ayia Napa highways.
Road closures will also be in place around Ayia Napa Marina on Thursday afternoon. Part of Ayia Thekla Avenue and surrounding roads will be shut from 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., while on Friday, Aglantzia Avenue will be closed from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
At the same time, the Joint Rescue Coordination Center, in coordination with police, has issued a NAVTEX notice establishing a no-sail zone around Ayia Napa Marina during the same hours on Thursday.
Farmers to stage protest
File photo
Livestock farmers are also planning to make their voices heard, announcing a protest at the Rizoelia roundabout on Thursday at 11:00 a.m., aiming to send a message both to Cyprus and the EU.
The protest comes amid frustration over measures linked to foot-and-mouth disease, with farmers calling for an end to the culling of healthy animals.
Despite a recent meeting with Agriculture Ministry Director Andreas Gregoriou, farmers said they were not satisfied and decided to proceed with the demonstration.
They stressed their aim is not to inconvenience the public, noting that only one lane in each direction will be closed, allowing traffic to continue on the remaining lanes.
Meanwhile, the issue will also be discussed in Parliament, where MPs are expected to seek updates on compensation payments and the next steps planned by the Agriculture Ministry.
