Leaders of Mediterranean EU states meet at 13th Med9 summit in Croatia

The 13th Med9 summit took place on October 7, 2026, in Split, Croatia, bringing together leaders from nine Mediterranean European Union member states to address regional and continental priorities. The summit, hosted by Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, was attended by key EU officials including European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Discussions centered on energy security, the upcoming October European Council meeting, migration, and the current situation in the Middle East.

Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides held bilateral discussions, including a pull-aside meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) project. Additionally, President Christodoulides met with Ursula von der Leyen to review developments regarding the Cyprus issue and the island's progress toward Schengen Zone accession. The leaders emphasized the strategic importance of Mediterranean nations in ensuring the energy stability of the European Union, specifically highlighting the GSI's role within the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

Moving forward, the participating leaders underscored the necessity of securing adequate funding within the new Multiannual Financial Framework to support Mediterranean policy priorities. The discussions highlighted the ongoing diplomatic focus on strengthening regional connectivity and the role of the EU envoy for the Cyprus issue, Raffaele Fitto.