Under the shadow of the latest developments in the Middle East and the widespread concern for further escalation in the wider region after Iran’s attacks against Israel, the Summit of Mediterranean Member States of the European Union (MED9) will be held on Friday in Cyprus, with the participation of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
During the Summit to be held in Paphos, regional developments will be discussed. King Abdullah of Jordan will participate in the meeting and will discuss with the leaders of MED9 the latest developments in the Middle East, as well as relations between EU and Jordan.
It should be noted that the MED9 Summit is the first summit meeting of EU leaders, a few days before the European Council Meeting on October 16-18. Under these conditions, the Summit is expected to be the platform for the first discussion at the highest level of the European Council’s agenda next week.
On the agenda of the leaders will be the latest developments in the Middle East as well as the migration issue amid fears of migration flows due to the developments in Lebanon. Other issues concern the competitiveness of the European economy and the debate on the Draghi report, as well as the developments on the Ukrainian front, together with the priorities of the new institutional cycle of the European Commission.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to stress that there is a need to coordinate the role of the European Union in developments in the Middle East.
In migration, Mitsotakis will reiterate the importance of guarding the EU’s external borders and strengthening frontline countries, the importance of returns and cooperation with third countries, while he will stress the need of implementing the Pact on Migration and Asylum.
In the afternoon there will be a joint press conference of the heads of state and government.
SOURCE; ANA-MPA
