MED9 leaders highlight Cyprus Corridor as lifeline for starving Gaza population

MED9 countries on Monday expressed “grave concern” over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, underlining the urgency of securing aid routes – including Cyprus’ Maritime Corridor – to meet the vast needs of the civilian population.

The MED9 is a cooperative group of nine Mediterranean and Southern European Union member states focused on addressing regional challenges including migration, climate, and security.

The joint statement was issued following a high-level MED9 summit in Portorož, Slovenia, held at the invitation of Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob. The meeting brought together the heads of state and government from Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy (represented by the Deputy Prime Minister), Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain, alongside King Abdullah II of Jordan.

The agenda was dominated by developments in the Middle East, with Gaza front and centre. The MED9 leaders praised Jordan as a credible and stabilising partner and reaffirmed their collective commitment to peace, security, and stability across the region.

Cyprus closest EU state to Gaza

Speaking at the summit, the President Nikos Christodoulides highlighted the importance of coordination among Mediterranean EU states, especially as Cyprus prepares to assume the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union in January.

“Our meeting today and our overall coordination as Mediterranean states of the European Union is extremely valuable for my country, since in just 71 days Cyprus will assume the Presidency,” he said.

“It is undeniable that the security and prosperity of the Mediterranean is directly linked to that of the European Union. An example of this is the situation in the Middle East, which directly affects developments in Europe – in terms of security, migration, energy prices, and so on.”

He noted that Cyprus, as the EU member state closest to Gaza, stands ready to contribute to regional peace and stability – just as it has in the past – and reiterated support for coordinated humanitarian efforts in response to the crisis.

“Last week, in Egypt, we have been witnessing the affording of an opportunity for peace. And we really hope… that it will lead to a new era of stability and prosperity – not only for Palestinians and Israelis but also for the wider region.”

Settler violence

The MED9 leaders welcomed recent diplomatic progress, including the ceasefire and hostage deal agreed at the Sharm El Sheikh Summit for Peace, and urged its full implementation. They commended mediation efforts led by the United States, supported by Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and the UAE.

However, their statement included warning about the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and deteriorating conditions in the West Bank.

“The MED9 reiterate their strong condemnation of the continued worsening of the situation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, following increased settler violence, the expansion of settlements, which are illegal under international law, and Israel’s military operation. They call on Israel to halt the E1 settlement plan and underline the need for the immediate release by Israel of withheld Palestinian tax revenues.”

Two-state solution

On the issue of governance in Gaza, the leaders supported the swift deployment of the Palestinian administrative committee, as endorsed by the Arab League summit in Cairo, and called for EU involvement in a proposed “Board of Peace”.

They reaffirmed support for a two-state solution based on international law and relevant UN resolutions.

“All parties must refrain from actions that undermine the viability of the two-state solution,” the joint statement said.

EU footprint in Middle East

Reiterating the importance of sustained humanitarian access, the MED9 leaders stressed that all corridors – land, air and sea – are vital. Cyprus’ Maritime Corridor was explicitly mentioned as a key route, alongside Jordan’s role as a regional aid and reconstruction hub.

The leaders underlined the critical importance of UNRWA in delivering essential services to nearly six million Palestinian refugees, reaffirming their support for the agency’s mandate and ongoing reform efforts following the Colonna Report.

Beyond Gaza, the statement extended support to Lebanon’s stability and to the work of UNIFIL. The leaders called for full implementation of UN Resolution 1701 and the November 2024 ceasefire agreement. On Syria, they reiterated support for a political solution and called for scaled-up international assistance to host countries – particularly Jordan – which continues to shoulder a disproportionate burden of the refugee crisis.

They also endorsed the roadmap announced by Jordan, Syria, and the US to end the crisis in Suwayda and stabilise southern Syria.

“We need tangible results. We need to move from declarations to action. We need to enhance the footprint of the European Union in the Mediterranean and the greater Middle East,” Christodoulides concluded.

Leaders also discussed the issue of energy infrastructure, with energy prices being their main concern. “Going green and investing in renewables seems to be the most sustainable way forward in order to ensure both independence and European autonomy as well as lower prices,” said Slovenian PM Robert Golob, adding that they advocated a flexible approach to the green transition, tied to individual sectors.

“We all understand that we need to build a common European energy market faster,” said Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, advocating for a coordinated EU-level energy policy, which he said would also contribute to strengthening competitiveness.

Regarding the proposal for the EU’s multiannual budget for the period 2028-2034, Golob highlighted the importance of higher funds, otherwise the European institutions would not be able to achieve their strategic goals, he said.

On the sidelines of the summit in Portorož, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani emphasized that he wants the measures on the border between Slovenia and Italy to be lifted as soon as possible.

The temporary freeze of the Schengen regime on the border between Slovenia and Italy is related to the international situation, and its purpose is to prevent the infiltration of potential terrorists among people fleeing war zones, Tajani told the Italian news agency Ansa.

Caption: (L-R) Portugal’s Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, French President Emmanuel Macron, Slovenia’s Prime Minister Robert Golob, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, Spanish Prime minister Pedro Sanchez, Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani attend a joint press conference during the MED9 Leaders’ Summit at Kempinski Palace, in Portoroz, Slovenia, 20 October 2025. Slovenia is hosting the MED9 leaders, who are joined by the President of the European Commission, to discuss European competitiveness and the situation in the Middle East. EPA/ANTONIO BAT