Nicosia: President of the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) Koen Lenaerts emphasized the significance of understanding the realities on the ground in EU member states during his meeting with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides. Lenaerts noted, “when we speak about Cyprus it is of course the fact that part of the territory of this member state is being occupied.”
According to Cyprus News Agency, Lenaerts, along with a 16-member delegation from the Court, visited Cyprus and was received at the Presidential Palace. President Christodoulides welcomed the delegation, highlighting the timeliness of their visit as Cyprus prepares to assume the Presidency of the Council of the EU in less than 57 days. He emphasized Cyprus’s efforts over the past two years to ensure a successful presidency.
Christodoulides underscored the importance of the visit, noting Cyprus’s status as the last divided and occupied EU member state. He reiterated the significance of the EU’s laws, values, and principles in efforts to solve the Cyprus issue and achieve reunification. He also recalled Protocol 10, which suspended the implementation of the acquis communautaire in areas not under the Republic of Cyprus’s control when the island joined the EU in 2004.
The President mentioned shared challenges with the Court, such as decision-making timelines and digital transformation, and emphasized the importance of understanding how the Court addresses these issues. He also referenced discussions in the European Council concerning the rule of law, democracy, and migration, which Cyprus will address during its presidency.
Lenaerts acknowledged the strategic and geographical importance of Cyprus, situated next to the Middle East. He mentioned the delegation’s productive meetings with the Supreme Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court of Cyprus. Lenaerts explained the CJEU’s role in ensuring the common interpretation, application, and enforcement of EU law, vital for maintaining equality among member states.
Furthermore, Lenaerts described the CJEU’s function as a constitutional court that verifies compliance with the EU’s primary law, including the Charter of Fundamental Rights. He concluded by tying the implementation of the Charter to democracy, rule of law, and human rights, which member states are obligated to uphold.