The MED9 leaders’ summit in Cyprus, attended by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Jordan’s King Abdullah II bin al-Hussein, aims to address the escalating crisis in the Middle East. The group, consisting of nine southern EU countries and Jordan, seeks to find solutions to prevent further turmoil in Lebanon and alleviate the humanitarian crisis.
Initiatives will be discussed to protect Lebanese civilians caught between Israel and Hezbollah, as well as to facilitate a ceasefire between Israeli forces and Hamas in Gaza. In addition, efforts will be made to diminish Hezbollah’s political influence in Lebanon, allowing the Lebanese people to choose their leaders freely.
King Abdullah will propose the establishment of a regional firefighting hub in Cyprus to respond to emergencies, while Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides will address EU migration policies and climate change concerns. Cyprus’ role in providing aid to Gaza and facilitating repatriation efforts for third-country nationals evacuated from Lebanon will also be highlighted.
The summit signifies a collaborative effort to address critical issues affecting the region and strengthen ties between the EU and Jordan.