The President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, took advantage of the visit to Cyprus of the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, to reveal some of the priorities of the country’s Presidency of the Council, which begins on 1 January.
“We are taking over the Presidency at a crucial time [...] Our vision is of an autonomous European Union, capable of protecting its citizens, its interests and its borders. We also want to preserve our principles, our security and our defence”, summed up the President.
He stressed that Ukraine would be a priority: “Cyprus is an EU Member State under military occupation. We are well aware of the importance of protecting the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of a country”.
Mr Christodoulides also announced that the Presidency would focus on strengthening the EU’s security and defence. “We will also work actively to improve EU security at all levels, including maritime safety, and we will strengthen our capacity to manage crises”, he explained.
Migration will be another priority. “On the front line of migration issues, we are committed, during our Presidency, to ensuring the effective implementation of the European Pact on Migration and Asylum and to focusing on the external dimension of migration”, he explained.
The future Presidency intends to work on strengthening the EU’s strategic autonomy and competitiveness. “We are therefore going to work relentlessly to simplify procedures, cut red tape and bureaucracy, boost the single market and support SMEs, the pillars of the European economy”, promised the Cypriot leader.
Nicosia also wants to improve the daily lives of European citizens. “We face major challenges, such as affordable housing, energy prices, the protection of vulnerable people and, of course, the safety of our children online, a challenge facing all EU Member States”, Christodoulides added.
The President also said that an “autonomous Europe is a Europe that forges links, that engages in dialogue with its strategic partners through partnerships and cooperation, a Europe that is open to the world, confident and that plays an important role on the international stage”. In his view, the EU must turn towards its southern neighbourhood and key regional players, such as the Gulf Cooperation Council, and sign free trade agreements with India, the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf States.
He also said that Cyprus was ready to invite the Turkish President to attend the summit on 23 and 24 April and the Turkish Foreign Minister to the Gymnich. “Of course, this depends on Turkey and its willingness to take part in these meetings during the period of the Cyprus Presidency”, said Mr Christodoulides.
Finally, the Cyprus Presidency will have to negotiate the next multiannual financial framework. “Our main objective will be to reach a political agreement as quickly as possible, and we are aiming for an agreement by 2026”, emphasised the President. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)