Under the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Ministry of Defence organised an EUMC Mini Away Day workshop on EU Maritime Security: Challenges and Opportunities at the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Cyprus. The workshop brought together senior military representatives, EU officials, operational commanders, and legal experts to assess evolving risks in the maritime domain and identify pathways for stronger EU engagement.

Discussions highlighted the increasingly contested nature of the maritime environment and the expanding spectrum of conventional, hybrid, and grey-zone threats affecting sea lines of communication, critical maritime infrastructure, offshore energy assets, and subsea cables. Particular attention was paid to emerging challenges such as cyber interference, AIS manipulation, the use of shadow fleets, and legal ambiguities that complicate enforcement, attribution, and response.

In his keynote address, Dr Nicholas A. Ioannides stressed the operational importance of the international law of the sea as the cornerstone for lawful, credible, and effective maritime action by the European Union.

Operational insights were provided by EUNAVFOR MED IRINI, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, and EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, which shared practical perspectives on force protection, freedom of navigation, and the protection of critical maritime infrastructure.

Participants underscored the need for enhanced maritime situational awareness, improved civil–military coordination, and clearer legal frameworks to support coherent EU maritime operations. The workshop reaffirmed maritime security as a core priority of the Cyprus Presidency and highlighted its central role in strengthening Europe’s overall security and resilience.