The presence of representatives of the European business community in Cyprus has added value in view of the assumption of the EU Presidency, President Nikos Christodoulides said Friday, in statements before delivering a speech at Business Europe Presidents’ Conference hosted in Nicosia.
Invited to comment on the significance of the Conference hosted in Cyprus, in view of the EU Presidency, the President pointed out that the majority of the files to be discussed during the Cyprus Presidency touch upon, by over 70%, the issue of EU competitiveness.
He noted that finally this issue is being discussed in an urgent manner where decisions will be made in order to strengthen EU’s competitiveness.
The President added that cooperation with the European business community is particularly important and recalled that yesterday he had a first exchange of views at the Presidential Palace with the participants in the Conference.
He described the discussion as very beneficial, especially in view of Cyprus’ Presidency of the EU which begins January 1st.
‘This discussion will continue today. We have common goals, common aspirations, so that we can make the EU competitive,’ he said.
According to the President, EU’s competitiveness also touches on the issue of its strategic autonomy, “because if you are not competitive, you cannot achieve the goal of strategic autonomy”.
‘Therefore, both yesterday’s discussion and today’s and their presence in Cyprus is particularly important and we are honored. It has an added value for us, as we will assume the EU Presidency in 40 days”, he noted.