Von der Leyen links Cyprus progress to Eastern Med stability, backs UN-based federal framework
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said regional stability and prosperity in the Levant are closely linked to progress on the Cyprus problem, reaffirming that the European Union remains committed to a settlement grounded in United Nations Security Council resolutions.
In an interview published Sunday, von der Leyen described support for a "bizonal, bicommunal federation" with "political equality" as the agreed framework for resolving the longstanding dispute. She said the EU continues to back UN-led efforts and is prepared to contribute actively to the process.
Von der Leyen also said the selection process for a replacement following the resignation of Johannes Hahn is currently underway, without providing a timeline for completion. Highlighting Cyprus’s position on the EU’s southeastern border, she said the island has a "special role" as a "bridge" between the bloc and its wider neighbourhood.
She pointed to participation by Mediterranean partners in recent EU meetings hosted in Cyprus and cited ongoing EU partnerships with countries including Egypt and Jordan. Addressing the EU’s broader challenges, von der Leyen listed competitiveness, demographics, strategic dependence and political cohesion as interlinked issues.
The key question, she said, is whether Europe is ready to confront them together—an approach she argued could turn challenges into opportunities to deepen integration and strengthen the EU’s global position. On foreign policy decision making, she acknowledged that unanimity requirements have at times slowed progress, and said a shift to qualified majority voting "would be an important step" to avoid repeated deadlocks.
Turning to energy, von der Leyen noted that citizens and businesses continue to face high prices and outlined ongoing 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.
She also referenced 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.
Her remarks underscore the EU’s view of the Cyprus issue as a central factor in Eastern Mediterranean dynamics and signal continued support for UN-mediated talks, even as Brussels manages institutional transitions and broader policy pressures.