At the outset, allow me to express my sincere gratitude to our Spanish hosts for their warm hospitality in the beautiful city of Valencia, and to the leadership of the European People’s Party (EPP) for bringing us together for this important Congress. First and foremost, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Manfred on his re-election. Manfred, your leadership and vision have been a force of stability at times of immense challenge. Under your able steering, our party has not only increased its power and remained the largest political family in Europe, but has also succeeded in securing continuity in key roles of our Union ‒ with Ursula at the helm of the European Commission and Roberta as President of the European Parliament. These achievements are a testament to our collective strength and a beacon of hope for Europe’s future. We gather today in the shadow of mounting global instability and a complex geopolitical landscape. The continuing illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine, the renewed instability in the Middle East, the rise of populist forces across our continent call for a Europe that is united, resilient, and ready to act. The EPP has always led the way in defending our common values and shaping the strategic direction of our Union. And it must continue to do so. The successive crises we have faced have made one thing crystal clear: strategic autonomy is no longer an option – it is a necessity. With a sense of urgency and responsibility for the future of our Union, for future generations, we must realise the vision of a European Union that is sovereign, capable of defending its territory, protecting its citizens, and projecting confidence. A robust, competitive Union, where European businesses are offered by us the best environment to grow and scale up. The strength of our Union has always been its unifying force. As we strive for more integration, for more union, we must look not only outwards but also inwards. In the Union of the 27, one member state, my country, Cyprus, remains divided by Turkish occupation. Occupation of European Union territory. I wish to express my appreciation to the EPP for its longstanding support to our unwavering commitment to the reunification of Cyprus and its people, in accordance with the relevant United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions and the values and principles of the European Union. Special thanks to Ursula for her commitment to reunifying the last divided EU member state, for sharing the vision of the people of Cyprus for a reunified country. Thank you also, Roberta, for being a principled voice and advocate of reunification. The history of Europe has been one of perseverance, of unity forged through adversity, and of belief in a shared vision and a common destiny. Let us continue to lead with courage, confidence, and conviction. With the EPP at the forefront, we can build a stronger Europe. Cyprus will continue to be a driver of unity in finding solutions to European challenges, in opening new paths for an even closer Union. That will be precisely the spirit and vision of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union in January of 2026. Let us write the next chapter in our Union’s story – together, and always in unity.