The conclusion of Cyprus’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the priorities of the European agenda, preparations for the Greek Presidency in 2027, and the Cyprus issue were the focus of a meeting in Nicosia between the Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, and Greece’s new Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, responsible for European Affairs, Tasos Hatzivassiliou, in Nicosia.

Welcoming Mr. Hatzivassiliou to the Secretariat of the Cyprus Presidency, Ms. Raouna congratulated the Greek Deputy Minister on assuming his duties and thanked him for the support Greece has provided throughout the Cyprus Presidency.

As she noted, the Cypriot Presidency “has left a tangible mark in all policy areas, in line with its central message of a European Union that is more strategically autonomous and open to the world.”

Ms. Rauna also noted that, with the conclusion of the Presidency, a new cycle of trilateral cooperation among the presidencies of the Council of the EU begins, with Greece set to assume the Presidency in the second half of 2027. He assured that the Republic of Cyprus will stand ready to provide the Greek side with all possible support during its preparations, just as it did during the Cypriot Presidency.

At the same time, he noted that the two sides will discuss issues high on the European agenda, both in light of the Presidency that has just concluded and within the framework of ongoing coordination and dialogue between Cyprus and Greece.

For his part, Mr. Hatzivassiliou conveyed the congratulations of the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Gerapetritis, for what he called the “utterly successful” Cypriot Presidency, which, as he noted, was planned and organized under the guidance of the President of the Republic, Nicos Christodoulides.

As he stated, the Greek side considers that the Cypriot Presidency was, above all, resilient, since, despite developments in the region and the outbreak of a new armed conflict in Europe’s neighborhood, it maintained its focus and successfully completed its work.

At the same time, he described the Presidency as effective, highlighting the large number of trilogues between the Council and the European Parliament, as well as the numerous documents and legislative texts finalized during its tenure.

The Greek Deputy Minister further argued that the Cypriot Presidency had been substantive, as progress was made on important European issues, including financial support for Ukraine, the new package of sanctions against Russia, the advancement of discussions on the Multiannual Financial Framework, and the launch of discussions on Article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union, which concerns mutual defense assistance.

Referring to relations between Athens and Nicosia, he expressed his hope for continued close cooperation in light of the Greek Presidency, noting that the two countries will continue to coordinate on all major European issues.

The Cyprus Issue Remains a Priority

Mr. Hatzivassiliou also reiterated that the Cyprus issue remains a top priority of Greek foreign policy, emphasizing the need to continue efforts to resume talks under the auspices of the United Nations and its Secretary-General.

He stressed that “the goal remains the end of Turkey’s illegal occupation and the achievement of a just solution based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation,” stressing that for Greece, “any discussion of a two-state solution is unacceptable.”

In conclusion, he assured that Greece will continue to stand firmly by the side of the Republic of Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot community.

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Source: CNA