President Nikos Christodoulides on Monday presented Cyprus’ six-point proposal for Gaza during the MED9 summit held in Slovenia.

The plan focuses on security, humanitarian aid and reconstruction in line with the plan of the president of the United States.

According to director of the president’s press office Victor Papadopoulos, the proposal highlights Cyprus’ role in addressing the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East.

It aims to support stability, peace, and recovery efforts in Gaza through regional and international cooperation.

During the summit’s first session, leaders of the MED9 countries discussed the EU’s multiannual financial framework and competitiveness. Christodoulides also outlined the priorities of Cyprus’ upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The second session, held as a working lunch, focused on the situation in the Middle East and was also attended by King Abdullah II of Jordan. Discussions included humanitarian assistance, regional security, and the strategic interests of the European Union.

Speaking at a joint press conference later, Christodoulides said the meeting 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 of the Council of the European Union.

“As the member state at the southeastern frontier, we’re preparing to take this responsibility with full awareness of the challenges ahead and with a clear commitment to advance unity, reinforce our collective resilience, and elevate the Mediterranean’s voice in the European debate,” he said.

It is undeniable, he added, that the security and prosperity of the Mediterranean is directly linked to that of the EU.

An example of this is the situation in the Middle East, he said, which is of course part of the Mediterranean and which directly affects developments in Europe in terms of security, in terms migration, energy prices, and so on.

He said Cyprus would place the implementation of the new Pact for the Mediterranean at the core of its priorities.

The pact, he said, is a chance to reinvigorate our relations with the southern neighbourhood with tangible projects that promote connectivity, sustainability and regional stability.

Christodoulides also pledged that during the presidency, Cyprus would prioritise issues that are of particular interest to Mediterranean countries, including migration.

“We must invest in partnership with countries of origin and transit, addressing the root causes, combating smuggling networks and opening legal pathways that match labour market needs,” he said.

Preparing for and responding to climate change and natural disasters will be another area of focus. “Our region is affected by wildfires almost every year, as well as desertification,” Christodoulides said, welcoming an earlier decision to establish a European Regional Firefighting Hub in Cyprus.

In the afternoon, Christodoulides met Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob on the sidelines of the summit to discuss bilateral relations and the priorities of Cyprus’ EU Council Presidency in the first half of 2026.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction with existing cooperation and agreed to strengthen ties in defence, tourism, trade and services.

Christodoulides also thanked Slovenia for its longstanding support on the Cyprus issue and its participation in the UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus.