Cyprus president calls for bold EU autonomy in times of crisis

Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides has underscored the need for greater unity and strategic autonomy within the European Union in the face of mounting instability in Europe and the Middle East.

In a statement shared on the social media platform X, Christodoulides stressed that the current geopolitical climate demands decisive and coordinated action from EU member states, Caliber.Az reports.

We come together at a moment of remarkable uncertainty, heightened tension and volatility across Europe and our wider neighbourhood of the Middle East and Gulf.

And it is defining moments like this that test Institutions, Partnerships and, indeed, Leadership. And yet, they also… pic.twitter.com/2ERbkVKN6B

— NikosChristodoulides (@Christodulides) March 18, 2026

“And it is defining moments like this that test Institutions, Partnerships and, indeed, Leadership. And yet, they also bring at the forefront our Union’s ability to act with, Resolve and above all with Unity.

Yet, I adamantly believe that it is in these moments, that space shifts, and creates openings and opportunity for decisions that would have never happened otherwise. Decisions for more Integration; for Projecting European power and Leadership in the world.

Opportunity for the Union to stand out, in the midst of unpredictability, as the most Reliable, Predictable, Trustworthy partner.

And to move decisively for a European Union that is truly Autonomous. This is Europe’s moment to define and reshare its future through an assertive and non-negotiable autonomy trajectory.

And let me be clear: I do not agree with those who say European Autonomy is untenable.

In the past days, Cyprus has in fact proven that European Autonomy is both possible and real.

That if we are confident in what 27 Member States can achieve together – as a Union of half a billion, and the world’s biggest economic and trading bloc – there is no limit to what we can achieve.

Crises may shape the moment, but they do not define our direction.

Our direction is to be defined by us. And our direction is clear: An Autonomous Union, Open to the World,” the president noted.

By Vafa Guliyeva