Heads of state and government from the nine Mediterranean European Union member states (MED9) convened in the coastal city of Paphos, Cyprus, where host President Nikos Christodoulides led the adoption of the Paphos Declaration addressing the escalating Middle East conflict, irregular migration routes, and European industrial competitiveness.
The 11th MED9 Summit brought together French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and leaders from Portugal, Malta, Croatia, and Slovenia, alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and King Abdullah II of Jordan.
Urgent Calls for Middle East De-escalation and Protection of UNIFIL Forces
During a dedicated strategic session with King Abdullah II, the Mediterranean leaders called for an immediate ceasefire across both Gaza and Lebanon, the unconditional release of hostages, and sustained humanitarian aid delivery, including renewed backing for Cyprus's Amalthea maritime humanitarian corridor.
The leaders expressed grave alarm over recent military strikes near United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) positions, emphasizing that several MED9 nations—including France, Italy, and Spain—contribute thousands of troops to the peacekeeping mission and that any deliberate attack on UN personnel violates international humanitarian law.
“The Mediterranean lies at the crossroads of Europe's strategic security, requiring immediate diplomatic de-escalation in the Middle East, full respect for UN peacekeepers, and a unified European competitiveness agenda.” — Nikos Christodoulides, President of the Republic of Cyprus
Advancing European Industrial Competitiveness and Mediterranean Migration Cooperation
Turning to internal European Union priorities, the Paphos Declaration urged rapid implementation of structural reforms aimed at narrowing Europe's productivity gap, prioritizing cross-border clean energy interconnections, Mediterranean climate adaptation financing, and a completed Capital Markets Union.
On migration policy, the nine southern leaders called for stronger external border management paired with comprehensive strategic partnerships with origin and transit countries across North Africa and the Levant to dismantle human trafficking networks ahead of next week's European Council summit in Brussels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries make up the MED9 group of European Union member states?
The MED9 alliance consists of the nine southern and Mediterranean EU member states: Cyprus, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain.
What were the primary outcomes of the Paphos MED9 Summit in Cyprus?
The leaders adopted the Paphos Declaration demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, condemning threats against UNIFIL peacekeepers, and urging coordinated EU investment in energy interconnectors and industrial competitiveness.
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