President of the European Council António Costa highlighted the decisive role of the Cyprus EU Presidency in advancing three key priorities of the European Union, while speaking on Friday in Brussels after the conclusion of the European Council, in a joint press conference with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen,
In his remarks, Costa pointed first to progress in negotiations on the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework, where the Union is now ‘one step closer to a new European budget from 2028 that matches our ambitions.’
Secondly, he referred to the guidance provided by EU leaders to the European Commission on how to make global economic competition fairer. Thirdly, ‘we celebrate a historic milestone on Ukraine’s path towards the European Union, with the opening of the first negotiating cluster’ Costa noted.
‘In all these areas, the common denominator was unity. And building this unity is a daily endeavour. This is due, in no small part, to the tireless efforts of Nikos Christodoulides and the Cypriot Presidency over the past months, in close cooperation with the European Parliament and the European Commission’ the President of the European Council stressed, personally thanking the President of the Republic of Cyprus. ‘Thank you, Mr President. Thank you very much, dear Nikos’ he added.
Costa underlined that, amid growing external pressures on the European economy, the EU must accelerate its own reforms. ‘We must strengthen our capacity to invest, become more competitive and more autonomous,’ he said.
According to Costa, leaders discussed global economic imbalances, some of which have become unsustainable. ‘We are committed to economic relations based on rules and reciprocity because fair competition requires a level playing field’ he noted.
As he added, leaders asked the Commission ‘to continue engaging in constructive dialogue with our main economic partners in order to defend the EU’s economic and security interests’ as well as ‘to develop and, where necessary, strengthen our toolbox in the areas of trade defence and industrial policy, so that the European Union has all the instruments it needs to protect its interests and reduce risks in its economic relations.’
Referring to Ukraine and the unity shown by EU leaders, Costa noted that for the first time since December 2024, conclusions on Ukraine were approved by all 27 member states. ‘This demonstrates our determination to continue supporting Ukraine and working towards a just and lasting peace’ he stressed, describing the opening this week of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova as ‘a historic step and a clear sign of the European Union’s commitment to enlargement.’ He added that this was also the result of the positive momentum generated by progress made by Montenegro and Albania, as well as by the successful EU-Western Balkans Summit in Tivat.
Regarding the signing of the initial agreement between Washington and Tehran, Costa described it as ‘a significant breakthrough’ expressing the view that the agreement ‘should lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and, we hope, pave the way for lasting peace, regional stability and full respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty.’
On Gaza, Costa stressed that ‘we must not forget the dramatic humanitarian situation in Gaza, nor the developments in the West Bank,’ while welcoming the Commission’s intention to present policy options ahead of the next meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in July.
Costa also referred to the first discussion among the 27 leaders on combating illicit drug trafficking, noting that ‘this issue directly affects the health, safety and security of our citizens’ and stressing that the fight against drugs must be pursued at all levels: local, national, European and international. To that end, ‘the European Union is stepping up its efforts through closer cooperation, targeted measures and partnerships with third countries’ he added.
Responding to questions about opening a diplomatic channel with Russia, Costa defended his institutional role as representative of the 27 member states. ‘As far as the interests of the European Union are concerned, the EU institutions should defend them, in accordance with the Treaties. And as you know, the President of the Commission and I are a team’ he said, commenting on remarks from some capitals, as France and Germany continue to insist that the so-called Coalition of the Willing – namely France, Germany and the United Kingdom – should take the lead in that process. However, a majority of member states supported the view that President Costa represents all 27 EU member states and that his mandate includes contacts with third countries.
Expanding on his response, Costa stressed that he ‘sees no contradiction and no competition between the different actors,’ arguing that ‘only Ukraine can negotiate its own future. Certainly, the Coalition of the Willing and the EU leaders should also have a role regarding security guarantees. But we act in a complementary manner. The interests of the European Union are defended by the European Union’s institutions.’
Costa clarified that ‘the European Union is not, and does not intend to be, a mediator. We are on Ukraine’s side. We were with Ukraine during the war and we will be with Ukraine after the war’ he said.
‘Secondly, what is also clear is that, unfortunately, we do not yet have credible signs from Russia that it is ready to engage in serious negotiations’ he explained. ‘What I am doing through my office is creating a diplomatic channel, because we cannot rely solely on others to interpret Russian messages, and we must be able to convey our own messages directly to Russia,’ he added.
However, he acknowledged that the start of actual negotiations still requires time. ‘Unfortunately, the time for negotiations has not yet come,’ Costa said. ‘But the European Union must be at the table when future negotiations take place. Therefore, of course, we need to start talking and have direct contact with Russia,’ he concluded.