Brussels, 22/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 22 February at the end of a meeting with Cypriot President Demetris Christofias, the president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, underlined that Cyprus is in an “excellent state of preparations” for its presidency of the EU Council in the second half of the year. He added that he was sure the presidency would be a success and that the Commission would provide upstream support to Cyprus as well as during its presidency.
Christofias said it was true that Cyprus had a very ambitious action programme ahead for the presidency. One of the presidency priorities would be the multiannual financial framework. José Manuel Barroso said that, if everything goes well, negotiations would be concluded during the Cypriot presidency. He added that they also had to use this financial framework as a tool for growth and explained that they needed investment at a European level to reach the highest levels of growth in the medium term.
The Cypriot president also highlighted the need to finalise a common European asylum system and a new sustainable common agricultural policy, the promotion of the EUROPE 2020 strategy objectives, progress in the integrated maritime policy and economic governance. The question of support for small and medium-sized enterprises, creating the conditions for job creation and tackling youth unemployment would also be priorities.
Southern Mediterranean and Turkey
Christofias also wants a far-reaching examination of neighbourhood policy, with the emphasis on southern neighbours. He pointed out that his country is the EU's most southerly country and explained that Cyprus wanted to be a bridge for developing cooperation between EU and the Mediterranean.
Cyprus will also have to meet another challenge, Turkey, with which it has been in conflict and which has threatened to cut off relations with the EU during its presidency. Barroso pointed out that the EU and Commission would support Cyprus as an EU member and in its role at the presidency. Christofias explained that they did not want Turkey to remain outside the EU and would provide support for the country as soon as Ankara met its commitments and obligations to the EU. (CG/trans/fl)