Proud for mu country to be at the helm of the Council of the European Union. Proud to be hosting in Cyprus on 23 and 24 of April the Informal Meeting of the Heads of State or Government, as well as a meeting of the EU27 with regional leaders. We will discuss how we can contribute in de- escalation in the wider Middle East and freedom of navigation. And how we tackle the effects on the lives of our citizens, particularly on energy prices. We are an ambitious Union. And our new Multiannual Financial Framework must reflect that ambition. We will provide political guidance on how we fulfill that ambition. The meeting of the EU27 with regional leaders sends a clear message. The Middle East and Gulf is Europe’s neighborhood. Our security is inextricably linked. Partners stand by each other at the most challenging of times. Now is the time to take decisive steps to elevate further, across the board, EU relations with the Middle East and Gulf. Stronger Together. For an Autonomous Union, Open to the World. Informal EUCO, Cyprus, 23-24 April🇨🇾🇪🇺 @eucopresident @vonderleyen(NikosChristodoulides)