Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Clea Papaellina, presented the social priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU during an official visit to Brussels, on Monday and Tuesday.
The Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare said in a press release that on Monday the Deputy Minister had a meeting with Cypriot Commissioner Costas Kadis, who serves as the European Commissioner responsible for the portfolio of Fisheries and Oceans.
Papaellina also met with the Director General of the General Secretariat of the Council of the EU, David Brozina. ‘During the meeting, a substantive and constructive exchange of views took place on the priorities, planning and pace of progress of the Presidency, as well as on ways to strengthen the dialogue with the European institutions,’ the press release noted.
The Deputy Minister held bilateral meetings with MEPs, including Petar Hristov, member of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), as well as Cypriot MEP Loukas Fourlas. ‘These discussions examined issues of social policy and cooperation during the Presidency, including the support of joint initiatives and the promotion of files related to social rights and the protection of people in vulnerable situations,’ the press release added.
On Tuesday, she had a bilateral meeting with the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Social Rights, Skills, Quality Employment and Preparedness, Roxana Minzatu. “The discussion was held in a positive and productive atmosphere and focused on key social policy issues: preventing and combating poverty with an emphasis on child poverty, protecting the best interests of the child, strengthening the social integration of people with disabilities, as well as addressing the challenges of long-term care and active ageing,’ the press release said.
The Deputy Minister informed institutional interlocutors about the planned High-Level Conferences that will take place during the six-month period of the Cyprus Presidency in Cyprus and Brussels, stressing the importance of continuing the work and strengthening political dialogue.
“Papaellina’s visit substantially contributed to strengthening cooperation with the European institutions, supporting the successful promotion of the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU,” the press release concluded.