The proceedings of the interparliamentary video conference in the context of COSAC have concluded

Monday 16 March 2026 marked the conclusion of the proceedings of the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of EU (COSAC), which met via video link, organised by the House of Representatives in the context of the parliamentary dimension of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.

The video conference was attended by delegations from EU member states parliaments and the European Parliament’s European Affairs Committees. Delegations from candidate countries’ and third countries’ parliaments also took part with observer status. This conference was preceded by a video conference between the trio presidency with the participation of delegations from the parliaments of Denmark, Cyprus, and Ireland, as well as from the European Parliament.

A stronger and strategically autonomous EU is urgently needed

Mr Harris Georgiades, the Chairman of the House Standing Committee on Foreign and European Affairs, opened the proceedings. In his opening address, Mr Georgiades noted that the crisis in the Middle East and the Russian invasion of Ukraine highlighted the urgent need for a stronger, cohesive and strategically autonomous EU, capable of ensuring security and acting effectively on the international stage. He emphasised the need to strengthen common foreign policy and security and defence policy on the basis of shared values, interests and solidarity among the EU member states and their partners, highlighting that this is becoming ever more urgent in light of the growing geopolitical tensions, increasing global uncertainty and the challenges posed by authoritarian and revisionist forces.

Furthermore, Mr Georgiades highlighted the geopolitical significance of the Mediterranean and the Middle East and emphasised that these regions can either become hotbeds of instability, conflict and challenges to European security, or areas of cooperation and opportunity. He also made an appeal for strong and lasting EU engagement in the region, emphasising the inextricable link between the peace, security, stability and prosperity of this region and the security and stability of the European Union itself.

Cyprus: a pillar of stability in an unstable region

In her opening address, the President of the House of Representatives, Ms Annita Demetriou, emphasised Cyprus’ strategic role as a pillar of stability in an unstable region. In this context, she highlighted the Republic of Cyprus’ implementation of the national “ESTIA” plan for the evacuation of European and third-country nationals amid the escalation of the crisis in the Middle East, as well as the need to continue initiatives that reinforce Cyprus’ role as a bridge between the EU and the countries of the Middle East at diplomatic level. She also underlined the importance of dialogue and cooperation with reliable partners who embrace EU principles and values and welcome the EU taking a leadership role in the region and the EU's collective action to manage complex and interrelated challenges.

Ms Demetriou emphasised the need for decisive action and compliance with international law, highlighting Cyprus’ solidarity with Ukraine and unwavering support for the latter's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Finally, she called on the EU to actively contribute to de-escalating the crisis in the Middle East, while ensuring the protection of civilians and the smooth operation of energy supply chains.

The Cyprus Presidency takes a leading role in shaping joint European solutions

The Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection of the Republic of Cyprus, Dr Nicholas A. Ioannides, informed the conference of the progress made with implementing the five pillars that constitute the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU. In his speech, he emphasised the critical role of national parliaments in shaping and democratically overseeing European policies, especially during a period of intense geopolitical uncertainty. He stressed that Cyprus, as a bridge between Europe and the Middle East, was actively contributing to stability and cooperation in the region, thus enhancing the EU’s security, defence and preparedness.

Dr Ioannides highlighted the importance of collective European action in addressing complex challenges, such as geopolitical crises, hybrid threats and energy security. He emphasised that the EU must remain united and committed to European values and international law, strengthening its autonomy, competitiveness and social cohesion, in order to ensure Europe’s credibility, security and prosperity. At the same time, he reaffirmed the essential role of the Cyprus Presidency in shaping common European solutions that promote the EU's resilience, openness and strategic autonomy.

Within the framework of the video conference, a discussion was held on Ukraine and European security, with the main speakers being the Ukrainian Parliament’s Chair of the Committee for Ukraine's Accession to the EU, Ms Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, and the European Parliament’s Vice-Chair of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO), Mr Charles Goerens.

A discussion followed on the subject of the EU and the crisis in the Middle East, with the main speaker being the Vice President of the Standing Committee on National Defence and Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Parliament, Mr Dimitris Kairidis.

The work of the video conference concluded with the speech of the EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Ms Dubravka Šuica, titled “The EU and the Mediterranean: Towards a stronger Euro-Mediterranean partnership”. This was followed by an exchange of views with the participants, during which the Commissioner answered questions and statements from the parliamentary delegations.

During the video conference, the participants expressed their unwavering solidarity with Cyprus and Ukraine and had the opportunity to exchange views on critical issues of mutual interest that concern the future of the EU, with particular emphasis on the security challenges in the light of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the escalating crisis in the Middle East.

Photos

See photos from the event on the Cyprus Presidency's Flickr account.