The heart of Europe is now beating stronger in the last occupied member-state, President Christodoulides declared in a landmark day for Cyprus, ‘for the present and future of the Republic’, noting that the country is undertaking a responsibility to European citizens and children, the future of the continent.
‘We are becoming the protagonists and decisively contributing to the European future with pride’, the President stressed, adding that the Presidency priorities set the vision and action and how we want to see Europe in the decades ahead, be that 2040 or 2050.
He underscored that Nicosia was ready to lead, become the voice of the 27, coordinate and negotiate as honourable brokers, bridge differences and push forward for European Integration in a confident fashion.
The sign of the times
The President noted that the Cyprus Presidency comes during a period of intensified geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges that test the durability, unity and cohesion of the EU.
‘But as history has shown, Europe does not bend to the challenge, on the contrary it takes the view that such crises are opportunity and therefore adapts, strengthens and moves forward’.
Opportunities don’t have the time to wait, Christodoulides added, emphasising the Presidency’s goal of achieving an autonomous Europe as a necessary step of evolving towards integration, an internally strong continent, capable of protecting its citizens, borders and interest, as well as forging alliances and synergies from a position of power.
The Union, he continued in his Lefkara address, must turn outwards, open itself to the world with a substantive global role and draw its power from stability, credibility and consistency, based on international law, dialogue and diplomacy.
‘This is what we’ll be working for, an Autonomous Union, Open to the World’, he declared, outlining the basic goal of the EU Presidency.
THE FIVE PRESIDENCY PILLARS
1. Autonomy through Security, Defence and Readiness-The Russian invasion of the Ukraine, Christodoulides said, has stressed the need to strengthen European security and defence readiness, with the ability to protect citizens and values with courage and reliability. Ukraine will be the Presidency’s top priority, he added, noting that it could not have been any different, as Cyprus knows first-hand what invasion, occupation and the violation of fundamental principles actually means. The Presidency will push forward a White Paper on the future of European defence and a road map towards defence readiness with a 2030 timeframe.
Such policies, Christodoulides stressed, will be undertaken with realism but also ambition, in the conviction that Europe must rise to the occasion of the times. ‘We will take defence initiatives and move towards emblematic works focused on the European defence industry also through the SAFE programme’, Christodoulides added, further noting the goal of strengthening transatlantic relations and deepening NATO connections, inclusively and for mutual benefit.
As part of the Autonomy through security mechanism, Cyprus will also manage migration flows, dealing, as the President says, with the root causes, through effective cooperation with member states, hosting migrants effectively and promote a returns regulation. The island will be using its own experience. Maritime security will also be part of this pillar as will water resources security, now challenging European durability, with Cyprus one of the countries experiencing the repercussions in one of the most vulnerable areas of climate change. ‘We’ll get Europe ready for a water crisis and water security, forging a strategy for durability as a matter of the utmost priority’, the President said.
Readiness strategies as part of the security mechanism over the next few months include shielding against foreign interventions, hate speech, hybrid threats, protecting the media, combatting organised crime, terrorism and violent extremism.
2. Autonomy Through Competition
3. Europe Open to the World
4. A Union of Values for All
5. A budget to Support an Autonomous EU
In her address, deputy minister for Europe Marilena Raouna, heading up the effort, said the Presidency was a unique opportunity for Cyprus to contribute towards the European project and show what it can bring to the table in terms of proposals and solutions for the common European interest during a critical geopolitical juncture.
As she noted, Cyprus will be hosting over 260 meetings in all cities, including a Summit of Leaders, the first to be held on the island, as well as 19 informal ministerial conferences. 1500 meetings will be held in Brussels and presided over by Cyprus. 30 thousand people will visit the island during the six month rotating Presidency.