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The President of the Republic Mr. Nicos Christodoulides, during the joint press conference of the Heads of State or Government of the nine Mediterranean countries of the European Union (EU), which took place after the MED9 Summit held today in Malta.
In his statements to the media, the President of the Republic said: "Although this is my first Summit as President of the Republic, I have participated in MED7 and MED9 ministerial meetings in the past.
It is very significant that this is already the tenth MED9 Summit at the level of Heads of State."
He added that the coordination for so many years at the highest level among the participating countries proves the mutual willingness of these countries to collectively address their common challenges such as, among others, Migration, Climate Change, Peace and Stability.
Referring to Ukraine, the President said that the Russian invasion of Ukraine has an impact on the whole of Europe, including the countries of the southern neighbourhood, but also in Africa.
"As MED9, we share a common understanding of the importance of a peaceful and prosperous Mediterranean and the need to strengthen the EU's relations with the southern neighbourhood.
Cyprus, as the next Mediterranean country to hold the EU Presidency in 2026, intends to go further with the issue of good neighbourliness as one of its priorities."
On the issue of migration, the President said "It is a common challenge for all of us and we discussed ways to address it collectively. I express absolute solidarity with all the countries affected and especially with Italy, which is facing a dramatic increase in arrivals. We support efforts to address this issue, including the European Commission's ten-point plan.
For Cyprus, which is the country that has received the most asylum seekers in proportion to population in the EU over the last six years, the issue is urgent.
We need to work within the EU to complete the Asylum and Migration Pact, but also with countries of origin and transit, including the countries of the southern neighbourhood, to address the root causes of migration."
On the issue of natural disasters, the President said: "All our countries have been affected," adding that "Cyprus endorses the Greek Prime Minister's proposal to raise collectively as Med9, the issue of natural disasters together with the rest of our European partners with the aim of strengthening the Solidarity Fund."
On the Cyprus issue, the President of the Republic expressed gratitude for the continued support of the MED9 countries in their efforts to break the deadlock and resume talks to reach a comprehensive and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, within the agreed framework of the United Nations.
"It is very important that our Declaration today reaffirms the agreed basis, as well as the need for increased EU involvement in the process, at all stages and by all means, including the appointment of an EU Representative.
He also noted the need for increased cooperation between our nine countries, particularly in the current geopolitical context, but also in view of the upcoming European elections, and the new EU leadership in a year's time, and welcomed Malta's efforts to strengthen cooperation at the MED9 level.
Finally, he expressed his pleasure that Cyprus will host the next MED9 Summit in 2024.
(PM/EP)
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