Politis

MEPs Urge Cypriot Presidency to Promote European Strategic Autonomy and Resolve Cyprus Issue

Published January 20, 2026, 14:26
MEPs Urge Cypriot Presidency to Promote European Strategic Autonomy and Resolve Cyprus Issue

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) called on the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU to promote European strategic autonomy and work towards resolving the Cyprus issue with EU support. The interventions were made during the presentation of the Cypriot Presidency's program to the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Manfred Weber, President of the European People's Party, expressed hope that Cyprus would play a bridging role between Europe and the region, while emphasizing the need to resolve the Cyprus issue, characterizing it as a European matter. Other MEPs, such as Kostas Mavrides, highlighted the need for a holistic approach to the challenges facing the EU, with a focus on social cohesion and energy autonomy. However, there was also criticism, with some questioning why similar sanctions have not been imposed on Turkey for the occupation of Cyprus, as have been imposed on Ukraine. Concerns were also raised regarding the new EU budget and its potential negative impact on agriculture and cohesion, as well as the Mercosur agreement.