Nicosia: The need to continue work on meaningful simplification of European legislation, full use of the Single Market, and support for EU enlargement was highlighted by the Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, during her participation in the EU General Affairs Council, held on Tuesday.
According to Cyprus News Agency, during the opening of the Council, the Irish Presidency presented its priorities for the second half of 2026, focusing on issues within the remit of the General Affairs Council. The Deputy Minister wished the Irish Presidency success in implementing its work programme and welcomed the priorities presented.
As Raouna noted, these priorities align with the European Union's Strategic Agenda 2024-2029, ensuring continuity in the Council's work during a period of significant geopolitical and economic challenges. Ministers further discussed with Enrico Letta the roadmap 'One Europe, One Market', co-signed in Nicosia in April during the Cyprus Presidency.
In her intervention, Raouna expressed Cyprus's full support for the roadmap's ambition. She emphasized that the roadmap provides clear political direction, specific timelines, and shared responsibility for removing barriers, reducing fragmentation, and fully exploiting the Single Market.
On the sidelines of the Council, Raouna participated in the EU Intergovernmental Conferences with Ukraine, Montenegro, Moldova, and Albania. During her time in Brussels, she was decorated with the Order of Honour of the Republic of Moldova by Moldova's Prime Minister, Cristina Gherasimov, on behalf of Moldova's President, Maia Sandu. Accepting the distinction, Raouna acknowledged it as recognition of the collective effort of the Cyprus Presidency to promote EU enlargement and support Moldova's European path.
Finally, Raouna attended the decoration ceremony by the government of Spain for the Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the EU, Ambassador Christina Rafti, and the Chair of the Working Party on EU-United Kingdom relations during the Cyprus Presidency, Michaelia Avani.