During the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, priority will be given to the Mediterranean dimension of the EU and to cooperation for a peaceful, resilient Mediterranean committed to international law, said Minister of Health Michalis Damianos, who participated, on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in the 10th Regional Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean, which took place in Barcelona on November 27-28, 2025.
Damianos also highlighted the importance of the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Process, which laid the foundations for dialogue and cooperation in the Mediterranean.
According to an official statement, in his speech before the Forum, Damianos stressed that the Barcelona Process principles remain relevant, especially in a period of geopolitical tensions, inequalities, and climate threats.
He stressed that Cyprus actively supports the Union for the Mediterranean and welcomes its new Strategic Vision, which reinforces its strategic direction while maintaining the inclusive and representative nature of the Organization, with an emphasis on regional solutions to common challenges.
Finally, he noted that during the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, priority will be given to the Mediterranean dimension of the EU and to cooperation for a peaceful, resilient Mediterranean committed to international law.
The Forum also included a ceremony for the official launch of the new Pact for the Mediterranean.
In his speech, the Minister described the day as a pivotal and historic one for strengthening relations with the Southern Neighbourhood partners.
He recalled that Cyprus, as the southeasternmost Member State of the EU, which will soon assume the Presidency of the Council of the EU, is actively promoting cooperation with the Southern Neighbourhood, stressing that the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU offers a unique opportunity to accelerate the implementation of the new Pact for the Mediterranean, with priority given to the Southern Neighbourhood.
He also pointed out that the launch of the new Pact for the Mediterranean is the culmination of the vision for a common framework of prosperity and stability between the EU and its Mediterranean partners.
He concluded by saying that this is the most ambitious relaunch of EU-Southern Neighbourhood relations in the last 20 years, at a time of multidimensional challenges and UfM’s 30th anniversary of the Union for the Mediterranean, which, he said, the Pact strengthens, complements, and develops, without replacing it.