High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas will travel to Lefkosia (Nicosia), Cyprus from 7-8 June to chair an informal meeting of European Union Defence Ministers, the European External Action Service announced on 7 June 2026. Kallas will doorstep upon arrival at around 7:45 EET on 8 June and hold a joint press conference with Cypriot Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas at approximately 11:55 EET. Audiovisual coverage will be provided via EBS and X.
The meeting, hosted by Cyprus, brings together EU defence ministers for informal discussions on security and defence priorities. No formal decisions are expected from the gathering, which serves as a platform for strategic dialogue among member states. The choice of Cyprus as the venue underscores the island's geostrategic position in the Eastern Mediterranean, a region of growing importance for EU security policy.
This informal meeting follows a series of EU defence ministerial gatherings in recent months, including formal sessions in Brussels and informal meetings in other member states. The agenda is expected to cover ongoing support for Ukraine, EU defence industrial cooperation, and responses to emerging security threats. Kallas, who took office as HR/VP in December 2024, has prioritised strengthening EU defence coordination and accelerating military aid to Kyiv.
The informal format allows ministers to exchange views without the pressure of adopting formal conclusions, enabling more candid discussions on sensitive topics. The joint press conference with Minister Palmas will provide the first public indications of the meeting's outcomes. No further details on the agenda have been released by the EEAS.
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