France is determined to assist Cyprus in any way to make its EU Presidency a successful one said Minister delegate for European Affairs, Benjamin Haddad, who is visiting Cyprus on Monday.
Haddad met with Cyprus Deputy Minister for EU Affairs Marilena Raouna who spoke of an upgrade of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
In press statements before the meeting, Raouna pointed out that Cyprus and France share a longstanding, excellent partnership.
“We are working upon instructions from our Presidents to upgrade this strategic partnership,” she noted.
Today’s agenda included issues related to the steadfast support to Ukraine. Raouna said that the Russian aggression against Ukraine is a European issue, “is an issue that pertains to the European architecture, and this resonates very strongly here in the European Union’s last member state under military occupation”.
They also discussed the negotiations for the new multi-annual financial framework security and defence, which will be a core priority of the Cyprus presidency and enlargement.
Haddad in his statements noted that the aim of the visit is to continue to deepen and upgrade the very strong relationship between France and Cyprus.
“And we will be finalizing a document which will lead the way to a strategic partnership on all areas encompassing industrial, economic cooperation, energy, and strategic matters to really deepen our partnership,” he said.
As regards the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, the French Minister noted that we indeed have very important challenges in front of us.
“The support for Ukraine against Russian aggression, the competitiveness agenda where we need to accelerate the implementation of the Draghi report and data reforms by simplifying our rules, by supporting investment and innovation, by deepening the single market, by protecting our industry against unfair competition and the pressure from abroad”, he said.
Haddad also spoke of the need to upgrade the European industrial defence base at a time when we need to reduce our dependencies on external actors and we are facing geopolitical challenges.
“On all these areas, Cyprus can count on France as a strong, steadfast ally and friend, (something) which is also embodied by the relationship of respect and friendship between our two Presidents. And we’ll be here also preparing an upcoming visit from President Macron”, he said in his press statements.
? statement issued by the Secretariat of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU after the meeting says that the two Deputy Ministers also exchanged views on common Mediterranean issues, with emphasis on migration and the new Pact for the Mediterranean, as well as on the importance and possibilities of strengthening coordination between them to promote common goals.
In this context, the Deputy Minister informed him about the initiatives that the Cyprus Presidency will undertake to strengthen EU relations with countries in the region.
Raouna also informed Haddad about the latest developments in the Cyprus issue and the efforts by the Greek Cypriot side to resume UN peace negotiations on the basis of the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, as well as about the progress in the process for Cyprus’ admittance in the Schengen area.