Image: from Radio Romania International X @RRInternational
By Open Chronicle Staff with Agencies
Monday, March 2, 2026
BRUSSELS — A high-level emergency summit of European Union foreign ministers, scheduled to take place in Nicosia this morning, has been abruptly postponed following the overnight drone strike on the British RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus.
The diplomatic delay highlights the growing fear within the bloc that the escalating conflict between the U.S.-Israeli coalition and Iran is rapidly spilling into European territory.
Security Concerns Overrule Diplomacy
European officials confirmed that the meeting, which was intended to forge a unified EU response to “Operation Epic Fury,” was called off after security assessments deemed the airspace over the eastern Mediterranean too volatile for the arrival of diplomatic delegations.
“The safety of our ministers and staff is paramount,” a spokesperson for the European Council stated. “In light of the direct kinetic activity on the island of Cyprus, we have made the difficult decision to move these deliberations to a secure video conference format later this evening.”
Cyprus at the Epicenter
The strike on RAF Akrotiri—a sovereign British base area on the island, has placed Cyprus in a precarious position. While the Republic of Cyprus is an EU member state, the British bases are technically overseas territories used by the U.S. for “defensive purposes” against Iran.
The postponement is seen as a blow to Nicosia’s efforts to assert a stabilizing influence in the region. Cypriot officials expressed frustration that the island’s proximity to the conflict is now manifesting in direct security threats, potentially dragging the neutral Republic into a crossfire it has sought to avoid.
Divisions Within Brussels
The delay also comes amid reports of deep divisions within the EU regarding the UK’s decision to allow its bases to be used for strikes. While some member states have voiced support for the “collective self-defence” mentioned by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, others, led by Ireland and Belgium, have expressed “grave concern” over the lack of a coordinated European mandate for such escalations.
“The unilateral nature of these strikes, launched from European soil without broader consultation, is deeply problematic,” one senior EU diplomat said in condition of anonymity.
Next Steps
The postponed summit is expected to focus on three critical pillars:
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Evacuation Protocols: Coordinating the removal of hundreds of thousands of EU citizens currently in the Gulf.
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Energy Security: Addressing the 13% spike in oil prices and the potential total closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
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Humanitarian Corridors: Managing the massive influx of displaced persons fleeing the intensified bombardment in Lebanon.
As ministers prepare to log on from their respective capitals, the physical absence of the meeting in Nicosia serves as a stark reminder of how close the “widening conflict” has come to Europe’s doorstep.