Securing energy, Defending Europe: Cyprus Presidency in high water

Cyprus holds the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The programme of the rotating Presidency, framed under the motto "An Autonomous Union, Open to the World," establishes strategic autonomy as its core directive, with a specific focus on the close relationship between security and energy resilience. Central to Nicosia’s agenda is the advancement of the EU’s Strategic Compass and the reinforcement of maritime security in the Eastern Mediterranean, both issues having deep implications for the European resilience. The priorities of the Presidency will be debated in a conference to be held on 25th of May and jointly organized by the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI) and the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Rome. The 1.5-hour event features one roundtable devoted to energy and defense. The dialogue wll bring together a high-level panel including representatives from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, leading think-tank analysts and private sector stakeholders to synchronize Italian and Cypriot strategic responses.