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Deputy Minister of State for European Affairs Marilena Raouna attended the General Affairs Council of the European Union (EU), which took place today in Luxembourg.
The issues addressed by the Council included the preparation of the European Council meeting to be held on 27 and 28 June, the ongoing aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, the next EU institutional and legislative cycle and the Strategic Agenda 2024-2029. There was also a policy debate on the proposal for a directive on the transparency of the representation of interests by third countries, as well as a hearing of Hungary, under the procedure of Article 7(1) of the EU Treaty, in relation to the state of the rule of law in the country.
Concerning the draft European Council conclusions, Ms Rauna, in her intervention, stressed the importance of decisions being taken by leaders at the forthcoming European Council, ensuring a smooth transition to the next EU institutional and legislative cycle. She also stressed the importance of an ambitious EU Strategic Agenda 2024-2029.
On the situation in the Middle East, the Deputy Minister of State for European Affairs highlighted the importance of UN Security Council Resolutions 2720 and 2735, noting that Cyprus supports the implementation of the US President's proposal, which can lead to the launch of a peace process. Ms Raouna also stressed the need to avoid the spread of the crisis in the region, making special reference to Lebanon. The Deputy Minister noted that Cyprus has over time been part of the solution to the region's problems as a reliable factor of stability.
With regard to the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine, the Deputy Minister reiterated Cyprus' support for Ukraine. Furthermore, she welcomed the adoption of the 14th package of sanctions, while noting the need to further and more effectively address the circumvention of sanctions.
During the debate on the proposal for a Directive on the transparency of representation of interests by third countries, Ms Rauna thanked the Belgian Presidency for the progress achieved, stressing the importance of strengthening transparency measures in the framework of the Democracy Package.
In the margins of the Council, the Deputy Minister met her Trio Presidency counterparts, Ms Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka (Poland) and Mr Jonas Bering Liisberg (Denmark). The meeting was also attended by representatives of the General Secretariat of the Council of the EU. The meeting was aimed at establishing the framework for the Trio's cooperation with the General Secretariat of the Council, and there was also an exchange of views on progress in the preparations of the Trio Presidencies. The roadmap of the Trio Presidency was also presented.
The Deputy Minister also met with her Spanish counterpart Fernando Sampedro Marcos, whom she briefed on the latest developments on the Cyprus issue.
Finally, Ms Rauna participated in the intergovernmental conferences on the opening of accession negotiations with Moldova and Ukraine, which took place today in Luxembourg. Tomorrow, Wednesday, the Deputy Minister will also participate in the intergovernmental conference with Montenegro, which will take place in Brussels.
EN/MPAT/MS
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