The 2026 Delphi Economic Forum – Washington D.C. Edition took place on February 2–3, bringing together senior policymakers, diplomats, and experts from Europe, the United States, and the Eastern Mediterranean. Organized on the occasion of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Forum focused on the theme “The Alliances We Have, The Alliances We Need”, addressing EU enlargement, energy security, NATO’s posture, and the strategic implications of the India–Middle East–Europe Corridor to strengthen transatlantic cooperation.
Dr. Elena Lazarou participated in two high‑level sessions: The first, “Bridging the Middle East and Europe during Cyprus’ EU Presidency”, was co-organised with the American Entrerprise institute, and featured Constantinos Kombos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, as keynote speaker. In her intervention, Dr. Lazarou referred to the recent developments that have brought the Mediterranean to the forefront of EU foreign policy and reflected on the potential of leveraging the New Pact for the Mediterranean, including in relation to the Middle East.
Dr. Lazarou also participated as a discussant in the dinner roundtable with the Minister of National Defense, Mr. Nikos Dendias, of the Hellenic Republic, under the theme “Defense at a Crossroads: NATO, the Eastern Mediterranean & U.S. Strategic Commitment”, moderated by Dr. Leslie Vinjamuri, President & CEO of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Dr. Lazarou brought specific attention to the role of industrial cooperation in the EU-NATO context and highlighted the need to address the threat landscape in Africa as a core part of European and transatlantic security. Other discussants included Douglas Lute, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO, Aaron Stein, President of the Foreign Policy Research Institute, and Kathleen Hicks, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense.
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