Prokopis Pavlopoulos calls for EU involvement in Cyprus and Aegean sovereignty issues

On October 19, 2026, former President of the Hellenic Republic, Prokopis Pavlopoulos, addressed the need for a definitive resolution to the Cyprus issue and the protection of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) during an event at the University of Cyprus. Speaking at the 150th anniversary celebration of the newspaper Estia, titled '150 Years Estia – Greece – Cyprus,' he argued that the Cyprus issue must be resolved not according to Turkish desires, but through the firm application of international and European law.

Pavlopoulos emphasized that the European Union must recognize that disputes regarding the EEZ and continental shelf of Greece and Cyprus directly impact the union's own sovereign rights. He explicitly called for the activation of European solidarity mechanisms, specifically citing the mutual assistance clause under Article 42, paragraph 7 of the Treaty on European Union. According to the former president, mobilizing these mechanisms is essential for securing regional stability. He further noted that the delimitation of the EEZ between Greece and Cyprus should proceed strictly in accordance with international and European legal frameworks, framing the protection of these maritime borders as a collective interest for the entire European Union bloc.