Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis posted a photo of their meeting on X (formerly Twitter), referring to a meeting “in view of the European Council discussions”.

Intensive contacts among the leaders of the EU member states have been taking place ahead of the 27’s discussions, with a view to secure Meloni’s support for a package provisionally agreed by the negotiators from the three political groups backing Ursula von der Leyen’s second term as Commission’s President.

Upon his arrival to the European Council earlier on Thursday afternoon, President Christodoulides said that he had been in contact with Meloni to discuss issues raised by the Italian Prime Minister, noting that he agreed with her on some of them.

He said that he believes that there must be a process from which “no one should feel excluded”, adding that he is ready to contribute “in the framework of our capabilities, the good relations we have with the Italian Prime Minister” and that “we will find a solution which will be a collective one”.