The position of the Republic of Cyprus on the SAFE (Security and Defence Fund for Europe) mechanism has been adopted, President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides said on Thursday, speaking upon his arrival at the European Council meeting in Brussels.

“I am pleased that our position regarding the participation of non-EU countries in the SAFE mechanism has been adopted,” the President said, making clear that “no third country that occupies territory or threatens the security of member states can, under any circumstances, participate in or benefit from any EU financial instruments in the field of defence and security.”

The President also referred to the strategic importance of the first-ever EU–Egypt Summit, noting that “our country, together with Greece and some other Mediterranean states, has long supported the need for this strategic partnership.” He added that this cooperation was first materialised with the 2024 visit of the European Commission President to Cairo — in which he also took part — and continued on Wednesday with the inaugural summit.

President Christodoulides noted that the Egyptian President had called for the EU’s active involvement in implementing the US President’s plan for Gaza and added that he had the opportunity to brief on Cyprus’ own plan — “a plan developed in coordination with the President of the European Commission, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan and Israel.”

Referring to the upcoming Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU — less than 70 days away — President Christodoulides said that during Cyprus’ term “we will work so that the Mediterranean Pact is transformed from a text into concrete actions for the wider Mediterranean and Middle East region, showing in practice that the EU has both a voice and a role in the region.”