Nicosia: In the context of its Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the Republic of Cyprus will not only continue but also substantially strengthen its efforts to further enhance the European Union's relations with the countries of the wider Middle East region, taking advantage of our geographical position, our political credibility, and our long-standing knowledge of the region's particularities, all of which constitute advantages in terms of responsibility and added value, both for Europe itself and for the region, the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, said in a written statement on Thursday.
According to Cyprus News Agency, a symbolic but also substantial confirmation of this will was the simultaneous presence at yesterday's opening ceremony of the Cyprus Presidency of the leadership of the European Union together with a significant number of leaders and representatives of countries in the region, reflecting in practice Cyprus' role as a point of reference and dialogue between Europe and the wider region.
In the same context, he welcomes with satisfaction the holding of the first European Union-Jordan Summit today in Amman, which, as he points out, follows on from the first European Union-Egypt Summit held in Brussels last October.
"These summits confirm the gradual but substantial upgrading of Euro-regional cooperation, for which we, as the Republic of Cyprus, have worked consistently and with dedication," he notes.
President Christodoulides attaches particular importance to the first joint visit of the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission to Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. "We will seek to promote this structured relationship at the Informal European Council on April 23 and 24, which will be held in Cyprus, with tangible and concrete actions on the part of the EU," he adds.
"Cyprus will continue to play an active and responsible role in promoting these efforts, particularly during its Presidency of the Council of the European Union, making use of its institutional position and political credibility. With consistency and dedication, our country contributes to the formation of a framework for meaningful dialogue and cooperation, with the aim of stability, security, and progress, for the benefit of both Europe and the wider region," concludes the President of the Republic.