December 11, 2011
THE DEFENCE Ministry and National Guard will take on the duties assigned to them during Cyprus’ EU Presidency six months earlier than other ministries.
Defence Minister Demetris Eliades said yesterday the ministry and NG were ready to take on duties and responsibilities arising from the Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council from January 1, 2012, as opposed to July 1, 2012, when Cyprus is due to take over.
The reason being, he explained, is that Denmark will take over the EU Presidency from Poland on January 1, but Denmark does not participate in the pillar of European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).
As a result, Cyprus will undertake many issues and actions, which are included in that pillar, since it is the next in line to take over the six-month Presidency.
Eliades said Cyprus will be dealing with the mechanism for financing military operations, called the Athena Mechanism, as well as chairing the Working Group on Target Settings, which studies the development of the military capabilities of the EU.
http://www.defencegreece.com/index.php/ ... ies-early/