Important issues that the EU will have to address in the near future and that will be negotiated during the Cyprus EU Presidency were at the center of the contacts that Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna held recently in Strasbourg.
According to an official press release, Raouna completed her two-day visit to Strasbourg on Wednesday, which took place within the framework of her round of contacts with the European Parliament in view of the assumption of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2026.
During her visit, Raouna held meetings with Committee Chairs of the European Parliament, with the aim of strengthening relations and cooperation with the European Parliament, which as a co-legislator plays a decisive role in a successful Presidency of the Council of the EU.
In particular, the Deputy Minister had a meeting with the Chair of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) Javier Zarzalejos, with whom they discussed the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, the legal framework for the protection of children from sexual abuse, the rule of law, as well as the simplification package.
It is added that with the Chair of the Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) Niclas Herbst she exchanged views on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), one of the most important files that the Cyprus Presidency will be called upon to negotiate. The Multiannual Financial Framework was also discussed in her meeting with the European Parliament Rapporteur on the MFF Siegfried Muresan.
Raouna also met with the Chair of the Special Committee on the Housing Crisis Irene Tinagli, with whom she discussed the European Affordable Housing Plan, one of the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency. She also said that an informal ministerial meeting on housing is planned to be held in Cyprus during the Presidency.
The meeting with the Chair of the Committee on International Trade (INTA) Bernd Lange focused, on the priorities of the upcoming Cyprus Presidency in the field of trade, international trade agreements, as well as the legislative dossiers that will be promoted during the Cyprus Presidency.
During a meeting with the Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) David McAllister, they discussed about EU enlargement, EU relations with the Middle East and the Gulf countries, international trade agreements, as well as the Cyprus issue.
Meanwhile during the meeting with the Chair of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) Borys Budka, issues of competitiveness, energy security, research and innovation, which will concern the Cyprus Presidency, were discussed.
The Deputy Minister also met with the Chair of the Security and Defence Committee (SEDE) Marie Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, with whom she exchanged views on the EU’s defence and strategic autonomy, as well as on the Union’s role in the Middle East and the Gulf, areas to which Cyprus, as the EU Member State closest to the region, will give particular emphasis during the Presidency.
Regarding the SAFE Regulation, Ra?una underlined that the participation of third countries must be limited exclusively to like-minded states that respect the security and defence interests of the European Union and all its Member States. In addition, she informed about the latest developments in the Cyprus problem. During her stay in Strasbourg, Raouna met with Cypriot MEPs, with whom she discussed current issues on the European agenda and ways to further strengthen cooperation between them in view of the Presidency.