Cyprus EU Defence

Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides gestures as he speaks during an Associated Press interview ahead of this week's major EU-Middle East summit, at the presidential palace in the capital Nicosia, Cyprus, Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

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AP Exclusive: Cyprus president says the EU needs a clear playbook on helping members under attack

AP Exclusive: Cyprus president says the EU needs a clear playbook on helping members under attack

The president of Cyprus says fellow European Union leaders meeting on the island nation need to start preparing a playbook on what should happen if an EU country under attack puts out the call to bloc partners for help. In an exclusive interview with The Associated Press, President Nikos Christodoulides said Tuesday that EU leaders will discuss “giving substance” to Article 42.7 of the bloc’s treaties, which oblige all 27 member states to assist each other in times of crisis. He said more needs to be done to bring about cooperation between the EU and Middle Eastern countries.