The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, described the upcoming Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the EU as a “collective national mission” that will strengthen Cyprus’ position within the European structure, highlight its role as the southeastern border of the Union, and make a decisive contribution to shaping policies that affect citizens’ daily lives. He made these remarks during a meeting with the Secretary-General of the Council of the EU, Thérèse Blanchet, and the Director-General for Institutional and General Policy, Didier Seeuws, at the Presidential Palace, on Thursday morning.
In his remarks before the Cabinet, in the presence of Blanchet, President Christodoulides said that the upcoming Presidency is a top priority for the government. “As we embark on this very important assignment, we are preparing methodically, intensively, to deliver an ambitious, pragmatic and results-oriented Presidency, as honest brokers, in the spirit of sincere cooperation, in an inclusive and transparent manner, well aware of the high stakes for our Union, of the need to deliver, fostering consensus to secure tangible results.
He said that Cyprus approaches the Presidency as a collective national mission that will strengthen the country’s position within the European structure, highlight its role as the southeastern border of the Union, and make a decisive contribution to shaping policies that affect citizens’ daily lives.
In this context, he added, the General Secretariat of the Council has been a very important, very valuable partner, a key institutional source of support throughout all preparations, providing continuity, valuable logistical support and policy expertise.
“We are navigating complex, and in some respect, unprecedented geopolitical dynamics, that challenge us, but also push us into action and the EU can navigate these, standing as a stable, predictable, responsible actor, committed to its core values and protecting and securing its interest and working on autonomy in all fronts, for more independence, more integration”, the President said. He noted that security and defence, continuing and stepping up the support for Ukraine, bolstering EU competitiveness, doing things in a simpler, faster, smarter way through simplification, leading in innovation, are all points of reference for the Cyprus Presidency. “At the same time, our Presidency will lead the Union at a moment when we need to decisively progress negotiations for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF)”, he said.
For her part, Blanchet confirmed that the Cyprus’ Presidency comes at a turning point point, with the MFF and given the geopolitical situation.
Talking to the press afterwards, Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, said that “an open discussion was held with the entire Council of Ministers on crucial dossiers that we will be negotiating, such as the Multiannual Financial Framework, the simplification package to enhance the EU’s competitiveness, enlargement issues, matters concerning the strengthening of the EU’s security and defense, and the continued support for Ukraine.”
She added that the discussion focused on how the geopolitical landscape affects the Presidency’s role in negotiating the various dossiers, as well as on identifying measurable objectives for each legislative file.
The Presidency’s calendar includes 263 meetings, including an Informal European Council meeting.