Cyprus takes over the rotating Presidency of the EU
The first term at the head of the Union of Cyprus takes place in a very difficult economic climate at European level but also in the context of tense relations with Turkey, an aspiring EU member status.
02 Iulie 2012, 09:43
Cyprus takes over the European Union rotating presidency, for the first time since its accession to the community for 2004.
Nicosia has already announced that its priorities will be the conclusion of negotiations for the Union budget in the period 2014-2020, a Europe closer to the people, but also enlargement, including Turkey.
The first term at the head of the Union of Cyprus coincides with an extremely difficult economic context at European level, with negative consequences, including on its banks affected by the situation in Greece, which made the authorities in Nicosia last week to seek a loan from partners in the euro zone, a delicate situation for a country to the EU presidency.
However, the representatives of the Republic of Cyprus state that want to turn challenges into opportunities.
The first and most important of these will be completed by the end of December the negotiations between the Member States regarding the Union budget for 2014-2020, Cypriot authorities’ intention being to achieve a successful conclusion to a balanced budget in order to stimulate economic growth and job creation.
Cyprus also proposes to promote within the next six months the idea of a Europe that is better, more cohesive and closer to its citizens, more and more dedicated to friendly general human values.
Cypriot Presidency of the Union will take center stage and continue the policy of expansion, including Turkey, even if Ankara has threatened that it will not cooperate with Cypriot presidency because of the deadlock in negotiations on reunification of the island.
Cypriot presidency programme was made public Saturday on its internet page, but it will be presented officially at noon on Monday in Brussels, a few hours before the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Demetris Christofias and the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy to inaugurate the exhibition "Mapping Cyprus".
This bring the most important moments in the history of Cyprus with rare medieval manuscripts, paintings, maps and engravings, but also over 50 icons, removed from churches and monasteries of Cyprus for the first time now, during the Cypriot presidency of the Union.
Translated by
Denisse-Meda Bucura
MTTLC, Bucharest University
