Enlargement and Strategic Autonomy under Cyprus’ EU Presidency

In her speech, Minister Raouna acknowledges that enlargement has long been one of the EU’s most powerful transformative tools, and a driving force for reforms, progress, security, and prosperity. She discusses how the EU is navigating an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine. She also argues that it is clear that enlargement is a geopolitical investment and necessity for stability, peace, and security for the European Union. It is widely accepted today that Enlargement has gained new impetus, and that this is a clear statement that Europe’s response to aggression lies in greater European unification, and deeper integration. According to Minister Raouna, Enlargement also re-emerges as a key policy for strengthening the EU’s strategic autonomy and global influence. She calls for the current momentum for enlargement to be seized, pointing out that by integrating new partners, the EU will reinforce its collective security and capacity to respond to emerging challenges. She concludes by underscoring that the incoming Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU is committed to driving forward the EU’s enlargement agenda with ambition and a results-oriented approach based on merit. About the Speaker: Marilena Raouna is the Cypriot Deputy Minister for European Affairs, in charge of the preparations and political oversight of Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026. She studied Jurisprudence (Law) at Oxford University, holds an LLM in Public International and European Law from the London School of Economics and Political Science (Chevening Scholar) and a Diploma in French language and civilization from Sorbonne University.