Newsroom
The European Union’s ability to act quickly to protect one of its member states was demonstrated by the recent deployment of military forces to Cyprus, European Council President António Costa said on Friday evening.
Speaking in Hamburg at the annual Matthiae Mahl ceremony, attended by former German chancellor Angela Merkel, Costa pointed to the rapid mobilisation of Greece, France, Italy and Spain to support Cyprus as a clear example of European solidarity and strategic independence.
His remarks came as tensions in the Middle East continue to rise, with Costa warning that retaliatory actions by Iran and its regional proxies are contributing to instability and threatening wider international security. According to the European Council president, attacks in the region, including those affecting Cyprus, risk triggering a cycle of escalation that could spread beyond the Middle East.
Costa said the situation has become one of the most serious threats to global stability, stressing that further escalation must be avoided. He urged all sides to exercise restraint, warning that the consequences of a wider conflict would extend well beyond the region and could affect Europe directly.
He also highlighted the economic risks associated with growing instability, particularly if vital maritime trade routes are disrupted. The effects of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, he noted, already illustrate the potential impact on global trade and energy markets.
Despite criticising Tehran’s role in fuelling tensions, Costa said the EU continues to support the Iranian people and their rights, emphasising that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms remains central to the bloc’s position.
He reiterated that diplomacy remains the only viable path to resolving the crisis, stressing the need to protect civilians, maintain nuclear safety and uphold international law.
Costa also underlined the European Union’s commitment to defending a rules-based international order grounded in multilateral cooperation and the principles of the United Nations Charter. Violations of international law, he said, cannot be accepted anywhere, citing conflicts and human rights abuses in regions ranging from Ukraine and Gaza to Sudan and Afghanistan.
In an increasingly multipolar world, he added, the EU must continue to act as an independent geopolitical actor rather than becoming an instrument of other powers.
During the ceremony, Costa also paid tribute to Merkel, thanking the former German leader for her role in shaping European policy during their years working together in the European Council and for her commitment to a stronger and more prosperous European Union.
