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- Ελληνικά
Deputy Minister of State for European Affairs Marilena Raouna today briefed the members of the Council of Ministers on the planning and progress of preparations for the assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) by the Republic of Cyprus in the first half of 2026, in the framework of a special session held on this issue.
After the session, the Deputy Minister made the following statement to media representatives. The holding of a special session is indicative of the fact that for the Government, for the President of the Republic himself, the successful holding of the Presidency is a top priority.
The Presidency of the Council of the EU is a national mission and as such requires teamwork, coordination and hard work around our common vision. It is a huge challenge and at the same time a huge opportunity with multiple benefits, especially for our country, a semi-involved Member State. That is why it is extremely important that all stakeholders, especially the members of the Council of Ministers, who have a key role to play at all levels, are informed and effectively involved. The coordination of the Cyprus Presidency Secretariat and all members of the Council of Ministers, under the guidance of the President of the Republic, is daily.
In the context of this first special session, I presented to the members of the Council of Ministers the course of planning, implementation and preparations for the assumption of our Presidency, which, as I mentioned earlier, is proceeding at an intensive pace with the Cyprus Presidency Secretariat team in close cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all Ministries and Deputy Ministries, as well as with the Mon We are working on the basis of an activity plan with objectives, actions and timetables that are constantly monitored so that we can methodically achieve the desired result. For example. In this context, the Republic of Cyprus has highlighted a number of important issues, such as the social dimension of EU policies, the effective management of the migration issue with emphasis on the external dimension, maritime security and the green transition, as well as the EU's relations with the Middle East and the Gulf countries. It should be noted, of course, that we are at the beginning of a new parliamentary term, so we look forward to the definition of official EU political priorities which should inevitably be reflected in the programme of the Trio Presidency. [*]We have also completed the inventory of the legacy agenda, i.e. the dossiers we are expected to manage during our Presidency. It includes some 260 items for the approximately 180 working groups and subgroups that we will chair, and by the time we take over the Presidency this number is expected to increase. [*]The six-month programme of each Presidency is directly linked to the wider EU programme. At the same time, of course, each Member State leaves its own mark during its Presidency. This is what we will do. The consultation to define our priorities will be intensive, broad and inclusive and is expected to be completed shortly before our Presidency, through a series of meetings and consultations with Ministries and Deputy Ministries, as well as with other partners and stakeholders. [*]I also briefed the members of the Council of Ministers on the practical processes required for the organisation, preparation and management of the meetings to be held in Cyprus in the framework of the Cyprus Presidency. In particular, some 225 meetings and conferences are expected to be hosted throughout Cyprus, of which 15 are expected to be informal Councils of Ministers. [*]Finally, it is important to note that the mapping of staffing needs both in Cyprus and in Brussels has been completed and a proposal will be submitted to the Council of Ministers within the next few days. [/LIST]
After all, the Presidency is its people. The success of any Presidency is the success of many and never of one. Our country has excellent human resources. Together we are working with absolute dedication and methodicalness, drawing on all the experience we have gained over these 20 years in the EU for an ambitious and successful Presidency of the Council of the EU.
We are taking over the reins at a time when the EU is at a turning point. With multiple geopolitical challenges, in a volatile international environment, but also in a period of change in the European project itself. With our vision of a better and stronger EU, an EU close to its citizens, and with Cyprus acting as an honest broker, promoting consensual solutions to the critical issues that the Union will have to deal with, we are working to leave our mark and positive footprint on the EU as a Presidency and as a country. We have the knowledge, the 20 years of experience, the vision and the enthusiasm so that through teamwork, methodical and hard work we can have an even more successful second Presidency of the Council of the EU."
(EN/MS/GC)
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