Further strengthening the defence and security of the European Union is a priority for the Republic of Cyprus, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Thursday, while referring to a meeting, in Copenhagen, between the President of Cyprus and NATO chief.
Speaking at a media briefing, in Nicosia, Letymbiotis referred to the contacts of Cyprus President, Nikos Christodoulides, in Copenhagen, and said that on Wednesday evening, ‘as has already been announced’ the President had a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. During the meeting, the two men ‘certainly discussed the issues of NATO cooperation with the European Union, and of course broader defence and security issues as well’ he went on.
Letymbiotis added that one of Nicosia’s priorities during the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, is to further strengthen defence and security in the European Union, but also the government has set it as ‘one of the highest priorities’ in its program.
Moreover, he noted that the meeting of the European Political Community was taking place on Thursday and that the President was expected to have bilateral meetings in the afternoon, including with the Presidents of Switzerland and Moldova, the Prince of Monaco, while he is also expected to meet with the Prime Minister of Denmark.
The European Political Community will also address the issue of strategic autonomy as well as the strengthening of defence and security and the issue of immigration, that are ‘also among the priorities of the Christodoulides Government’ the Spokesman concluded.