Cyprus: Cyprus will build on the achievements and international standing gained during its Presidency of the Council of the European Union to further strengthen the Republic and deliver tangible benefits for its citizens, Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna said on Tuesday.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Raouna presented the results of Cyprus' six-month EU Presidency alongside Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos during a meeting of the House Committee on Foreign and European Affairs. Members of the committee congratulated the government on what they described as a successful presidency.
Raouna emphasized that the presidency was a collective national effort, recognized by EU institutions and European leaders. She thanked the hundreds of public servants and external experts who contributed to its implementation after two and a half years of preparation.
She highlighted the presidency's legislative record, noting that Cyprus participated in 70 negotiations and trilogues with the European Parliament and the European Commission, handling 32 legislative files. Of those, 27 were successfully concluded, representing an 85% success rate. She cited the agreement to strengthen air passenger rights as one of the presidency's notable achievements.
The Deputy Minister said Cyprus' overarching objective had been to reinforce the European Union's strategic autonomy, not only in defense and security but also in competitiveness, the economy, energy, and social cohesion.
She also pointed to the organizational scale of the presidency, describing it as one of the most demanding undertakings for a small EU member state. Cyprus chaired around 1,600 meetings, hosted approximately 300 events on the island, and welcomed more than 25,000 participants. The country also hosted, for the first time, an informal meeting of EU leaders, while President Nikos Christodoulides convened regional leaders alongside EU institutions, highlighting Cyprus' strategic location and regional partnerships.
Raouna stated that the conclusion of the presidency marked the beginning of a new phase during which Cyprus would "invest the capital" earned through its successful stewardship of the EU Council. She said this political capital would be used in key negotiations in Brussels, including discussions on the EU's next Multiannual Financial Framework, as well as in efforts related to the Cyprus issue.
Responding to questions from lawmakers, Raouna said Cyprus had ensured that the EU's agreed returns regulation included an explicit reference to respect for international law, together with a monitoring mechanism involving the European Commission, the UN Refugee Agency, and the International Organization for Migration.
Committee Chairman Giorgos Karoullas said the presidency had delivered significant achievements and stressed that its results should now be leveraged to strengthen Cyprus' international role and support efforts toward the reunification of the island.