Leaders of four EU nations coordinate on migration and regional security

On May 16, 2026, the leaders of Cyprus, Greece, Italy, and Malta issued a joint statement following the Europe Gulf Forum. The meeting, which followed an earlier gathering in Ayia Napa, focused on preventing a migration crisis similar to that of 2015 due to current instability in the Middle East. The four leaders agreed to pursue cooperation across four pillars: improving regional security, providing assistance to affected populations, implementing the new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, and strengthening border control. Their strategy includes addressing migration instrumentalization, force majeure situations, and hybrid threats. The leaders welcomed the unanimous adoption of the Chisinau Declaration on Migration on May 15, which acknowledges the complex challenges facing EU member states. Additionally, the Italian Minister of the Interior will host a follow-up meeting with his counterparts in Rome on June 17. The initiative emphasizes coordination while maintaining respect for international law.