Cyprus-Forum.com

[kimon07]

Press Release - President Christofias presented the Priorities of the Cyprus EU Presidency
04.07.2012, 09:40 (CET)

http://www.cy2012.eu/index.php/en/news- ... presidency

The President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr Demetris Christofias presented today, before the plenary session of the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, the Priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, assumed on 1st July. This is the first time that Cyprus assumes the Presidency of the Council of the EU.

The Cyprus Presidency of the Council, President Christofias pointed out, will seek to contribute with all its powers towards the construction of a Better Europe, with social cohesion, prosperity, security and growth, with more visible benefits for the prosperity of European Citizens. This is the general political goal of the Cyprus presidency during the current semester.

President Christofias emphasised that “produced wealth should be distributed in a more fair way. More Social Europe, that is what we need.”
The Priorities of the Cyprus Presidency thar were presented by President Christofias pertain to four focal points:

First Priority: A Europe that is more efficient and viable
The Cyprus Presidency will, inter alia, give emphasis to the Multiannual Financial Framework (2014-2020), aiming at the conclusion of the negotiations, and will try to achieve progress in the negotiations for the legal framework for policies such as the Common Agricultural and Fisheries Policy. Sustainable growth will also constitute an important issue during the Cyprus Presidency, for a comprehensive approach in such fields as energy and the sustainable management of water resources as well as the re-energisation of the Intergrated Maritime Policy of the Union.

Second Priority: A Europe with more efficient economy, based on growth
The Cyprus Presidency will focus on the implementation of a new reinforced framework for economic governance, aiming to secure fiscal stability. Of particular importance is the monitoring of the implementation of the “Europe 2020” Strategy. The financial services are also an important issue for the Cyprus Presidency. The deepening of the internal market will also be promoted.

Third Priority: A Europe that means more to its citizens, with Solidarity and Social Cohesion
Emphasis will be given to the engagement of social partners, the Local Authorities and the Non Governmental Organizations in the realisation of the “Europe 2020” Strategy. The Cyprus Presidency will focus on the continuation of the work to combat child poverty and especially to promote the well-being of children. It will also focus on the creation of a Common European Asylum System by the end of 2012, with the reinforcement of cooperation among the member states for the protection of the rights of those in need of international protection.

Fourth Priority: Europe in the world and closer to its neighbours
Special attention will be given to the Southern Dimension of the European Neighborhood Policy. Furthermore, the Cyprus Presidency will promote the necessary course of action with regard to the enlargement process.

In a reference to Turkey's threats against the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, President Christofias pledged that “we will not spare any effort and we will not allow the problems that the occupying power may try to create in order to disorient us form exercising a thoroughly European Presidency.”

More on the first activities and presentations of the Presidency here:
http://www.cy2012.eu/en/news-categories ... ss-release

[kimon07]

Cyprus Presidency to strive for balanced policies

04.07.2012, 14:42 (CET)

The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Demetris Christofias stressed that the Republic of Cyprus seeks the implementation of balanced policies that combine fiscal discipline and policies for growth and creation of jobs.

Speaking at a joint press conference with the President of the European Parliament Mr. Martin Schulz, following his presentation of the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, President Christofias said that the reason austerity policies have not worked was because they are one-sided.

“There needs to be a combination between fiscal discipline, which is necessary, and growth and creation of jobs. There is a need for balanced policies. That is what the Cyprus Presidency looks for.”

The President of the European Parliament said that the Cyprus Presidency is very well prepared.

“It is one of the best prepared Presidencies I have seen in a very long time. Mr. Barroso has also evaluated the Presidency in the same way as I have,” Mr. Schulz said.

He expressed belief that Cyprus and President Christofias himself will strive for more social justice, solidarity, control of financial markets, combating poverty and noted that Demetris Christofias is the right person at this time to represent the EU on issues of social justice and to represent the European ideals based on the Community Method.

Replying to a question, the President of the European Parliament noted that Turkey should respect that the EU has certain rules one of which is the rotating EU Presidency.

“Turkey wants to accede the EU and not vice versa, that is why Turkey should respect the EU rules,” Mr Schulz said.

The President of the European Commission did not attend the press conference, as initially planned, due to other commitments.


http://www.cy2012.eu/index.php/en/news- ... -policies-

[GreekIslandGirl]

Lovely, lovely, lovely.

There is no better time for a socialist President to make a lasting positive impact in this banker-troubled, unregulated-capitalism corroded, director-contagion (thanks again, UK) riddled system than NOW.

[kimon07]

SCIFA meeting defines next steps

03.07.2012, 12:27 (CET)

scifa.jpg

The Informal Meeting of the Strategic Committee for Immigration, Frontiers and Asylum was held in Lefkosia (Nicosia) on the 2nd and 3rd of July, where the delegates of the member states discussed the further actions of the committee

The delegates of the member states at SCIFA exchanged views on four of the basic matters that the committee is handling, defining the next steps to be implemented.

More:

http://www.cy2012.eu/index.php/en/news- ... next-steps

[kimon07]

European Parliament, Commission and new Cyprus Council Presidency commit to close cooperation to tackle crisis and deliver an ambitious long-term EU budget

03.07.2012, 19:58 (CET)

christofias---barroso---schulz.jpg

The President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and President Demetris Christofias for the Cyprus Presidency of the Council made the following joint statement after their first meeting in Strasbourg on 3 July.

"The three key European institutions - the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council – commit themselves to the closest possible cooperation during the Cyprus Presidency, while respecting the competences and prerogatives enshrined in the treaties.

Over the next six months, the European Union institutions are determined to work together to take further steps to overcome the economic crisis and enable the EU to return to sustainable economic growth.

Our common goal is the adoption of an ambitious Multiannual Financial Framework for investment in growth and jobs by the end of this year."

[kimon07]

The joint press conference Shulz-Christofias

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/ep-live/e ... format=wmv

[humanist]

Good commitments by President Christofias on European leadership. I also liked what he had to say about Turkey's threats. So far he is proving to be more of a gentleman and a quality politician that his Turkish counterpart.

[kimon07]

Good commitments by President Christofias on European leadership. I also liked what he had to say about Turkey's threats. So far he is proving to be more of a gentleman and a quality politician than his Turkish counterpart.

Yes Erdogan proves to be very cheap in comparison.

By the by: Has anyone heard anything from that clown Bagis lately?

[GreekIslandGirl]

NEVER FORGET CYPRUS!

[Hermes]

“It is one of the best prepared Presidencies I have seen in a very long time. Mr. Barroso has also evaluated the Presidency in the same way as I have,” Mr. Schulz said.

Just four days gone and it's all looking good. We shouldn't underestimate the positive impression a successful Presidency will have abroad. Also the positive effects on the Cypriot public and social administration of running an EU Presidency. As well as providing a great platform to present the Republic's cause to the rest of Europe.