Cyprus-Forum.com

[DT.]

Preparations underway for EU presidency
By Anna Hassapi

PREPARATIONS are underway for 2012 when Cyprus assumes the EU’s six-month rotating presidency with the appointment of a coordinator whose name will be officially announced soon.

The decision to appoint such a coordinator was taken by the Council of Ministers in August and according to Politis newspaper, the post has already allocated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and President Christofias. According to the newspaper, the chosen coordinator has a political and not a technocratic background.

The coordinator will be hired on a state contract starting from 15 March 2009 until March 2013, with a yearly wage of approximately €63,300. He will be responsible for overseeing the work carried out by six working groups handling six topics related to the presidency. The coordinator will be assisted by a group of civil servants and technocrats.

The working groups will be housed in a state-owned annex building next to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The annex building, constructed during colonial times, was recently renovated for this purpose. The building’s staff will be accountable directly to President Christofias as they do not fall under any government agency.

Once the coordinator is appointed, he will consult with the Minister of Foreign Affairs to select two high-ranking civil servants to act as managers in the organisation and preparation process for the Cypriot EU Presidency.

Meanwhile, the bidding process was initiated yesterday for the contracting of private companies to undertake the revamp and refurbishment of Nicosia Conference Centre and nearby Filoxenia hotel. The two buildings will host all meetings, conferences and events that will take place during the presidency.

The cost of renovating the conference centre is estimated at €10.5 million and Filoxenia at €1.5 million. A comprehensive refurbishment will take place at the conference centre, with the replacement of floors, ceilings, electrical and electronic equipment. The centre’s basement amphitheatre will be transformed, and changes will be made to the kitchen and other areas. In Filoxenia, only the ground floor will be changed as it will be used as a press and exhibition centre.

What does it take to hold the Presidency?

Currently, the Czech Republic holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (from January until June 2009). Its planned central budget for the preparation and execution of the Presidency is 1.9 billion crowns, which is approximately €73 million. The Czech presidency, however, is relatively cheap compared to the French which was estimated to cost €190 million.

During the Czech Presidency 14 informal meetings of ministers will be held in various Czech towns. In addition to Prague, scheduled to host nine informal meetings, summits will also take place in Brno, Luhacovice, Hluboka nad Vltavou, Marianske Lazne and Litomerice. The Presidency is also responsible for formulating the EU’s positions in international forums and organise EU meetings with third-country representatives in its country and abroad.


Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009