Cyprus settlement ‘key to regional stability’ says Von der Leyen

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said regional stability and prosperity in the Levant are “closely linked” to progress on the Cyprus problem.

Speaking to Kathimerini in an exclusive interview on Sunday she affirmed the EU remains committed to a settlement based on United Nations Security Council resolutions, describing support for a “bizonal, bicommunal federation” with “political equality” as the agreed framework.

Von der Leyen said the selection process for a replacement following the resignation of Johannes Hahn is “currently underway”, without giving a timeline for completion.

She said the Cyprus issue remains a central factor in wider regional dynamics, adding that it is “closely linked” to stability and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The EU, she said, continues to support UN-led efforts and is prepared to contribute actively to the process.

On regional cooperation, she referred to the participation of Mediterranean partners in recent EU meetings hosted in Cyprus, and pointed to existing EU partnerships with countries including Egypt and Jordan.

Cyprus, she said, has a “special role” due to its position on the EU’s southeastern border, describing it as a “bridge” between the Union and its wider neighbourhood.

Asked about the EU’s broader geopolitical challenges, von der Leyen said issues such as competitiveness, demographics, strategic dependence and political cohesion cannot be addressed separately.

“The most important question is whether Europe is ready to face them all together,” she said, adding that if so, these challenges could be turned into opportunities to “deepen integration” and strengthen the EU’s global position.

She also said that decision making in foreign policy has at times been slowed by the requirement for unanimity, arguing that a shift to qualified majority voting “would be an important step” to avoid repeated deadlocks.

On energy policy, she said citizens and businesses continue to face high prices and outlined ongoing EU measures aimed at reducing costs and improving resilience.

She said the Commission is focused on expanding domestic energy capacity and accelerating the transition to cleaner sources.

Von der Leyen also referred to EU infrastructure and energy interconnection projects, including the Great Sea Interconnector, which she said remains part of the Union’s strategic energy network planning and is under continued monitoring.