The importance of the Cyprus Presidency to strengthen EU relations with neighboring countries in the region was praised by Nicosia, the President of the European Council Antonio Costa In his initial position during statements in the media, with the Cypriot president in Nicosia.
THE Nikos Christodoulides For his part he welcomed President Costa’s initiative for a visit to European capitals and reiterated that the Cyprus Under her presidency she will act as an honorable mediator and will close the dossier for the multiannual fiscal framework (MSc) as timely.
He said he also discussed with Mr Costa also issues of the European agenda, European autonomy and security and defense issues and the program SAFEissues of competitiveness and reduction of bureaucracy.
President Christodoulides said that Cyprus’s position on the Russian invasion of Ukraine remains stable and clear and also referred to the planned meeting during the Cyprus Presidency with leaders in the area because of the proximity and exceptional relations.
He also informed Mr Costa about the contacts with the UN Secretary -General’s envoy to the Cyprus issue, Maria Achela Olgin in view of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Mr Costa said that the Cyprus Presidency is taking place at an important time for peace in the EU, where we are called upon to manage the Russian invasion of Ukraine, where we need to increase our investment in our own security – and security means (increased) in defensive potential and protection of our citizens. He pointed out that in this context he welcomes the announcement of the Commission’s president for establishing a fire in Cyprus in Cyprus.
Safe open for third countries that do not threaten Member States
A journalist’s observation that developments are imposing the strengthening of the European Union’s defense, as Poland has recently been threatened, resulting in NATO deciding to strengthen its eastern borders, and asked how the EU intends to strengthen the east and southeast, European values will not participate in Safe, President Christodoulides said that “enhancing the deterrent power of the Republic of Cyprus is one of the key priorities of our rule”.
At the same time, he welcomed “because the European Union, led by Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Laien, escaped these long discussions we had about the need to strengthen the defense and security of the European Union and Member States, The European Union recognizes the need to strengthen the Member States, to strengthen the autonomy of the European Union. “
Christodoulides also expressed great pleasure because it has been decided, under the Safe program, an amount that exceeds one billion euros for the Republic of Cyprus. “The preparation has already begun internally so that in November we can submit the recommendations of the Republic of Cyprus and use this very powerful tool offered by the European Union,” he said.
He then stated that “we are taking advantage of other opportunities given to us, either through our cooperation with the United States or with other states in the region”, adding that the Cypriot defense industry is drawing significant funding from European Union programs.
Responding to the journalistic question for Turkey, he noted that the participation of any third country requires a defense agreement with the European Union, that is, the agreement of all 27 states. At the same time, he emphasized that “we cannot fund, give resources of the European Union to third states, which threaten Member States of the European Union”.
“It is as if – because there is absolutely no difference – the European Union” is funding “Russia’s defense industry, which has illegally invaded a country in the region. So you realize, under this data there can be no such funding, “he added.
For his part, Mr Costa said, among other things, that “the rules of the Safe program are very clear. It is open to third countries, but for third countries that are not a threat to the safety of every Member State. In states that attack or threaten the security of a Member State, they cannot be allowed to use Safe, “he noted. “In order to use Safe from a third country, it will have to sign a defense agreement that must be approved by all Member States,” he said.
He added that NATO is a defensive military organization, while the EU does not, adding that until a few years ago no one was talking to the EU on defense issues, but this has changed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Now we are building a Europe of defense again,” he said, with the Safe program and other programs, adding that significant funds for the defense of the Member States will be given.
President Christodoulides also added that through these EU programs, such as Safe and others, the cooperation of the Member States and the defense industries in the EU Member States are also promoted, and the aim is to build in the context of EU strategic autonomy, the European Security Archives that includes the security of all Member States.
‘Our goal is to act as an honest mediator’
Welcoming the President of the European Council in Cyprus, the President of the Republic welcomed Antonio Costa’s initiative to tour European capitals. He said he had a very good discussion on a number of issues related to the forthcoming assumption of the European Union Council from Cyprus in 107 days from today. “Our goal is to work closely with you with your team, with the Commission, with the European Parliament and all Member States, to operate – and we will do so – as an honorable mediator, to further promote European integration, European autonomy, making our union even more powerful in a world of challenges, Opportunities, “he said.
In this context, President Christodoulides said that some of the basic files that the Cyprus Presidency will be managed, such as the new perennial fiscal framework, were discussed, adding that “difficult and long discussions are expected during our presidency”, which “are decisive for us”. “Cyprus will work closely with the institutions of the European Union and the Member States to make effective progress on this important issue in time,” he said.
In addition, the President of the Republic emphasized the importance of reaching timely agreement and the European Union’s budget to reflect the current priorities of the Union, but also to ensure traditional important policies, such as cohesion policy.
Referring to the areas of defense and security, he welcomed with great satisfaction that as “the European Union, for the first time under the leadership of Antonio (Costa) and Ursula (von der Layen), we proceeded with specific initiatives, we went away from our discussions, As he said, “Cyprus has taken advantage of these new opportunities, such as the Safe tool, with the aim of enhancing our own defense potential, enhancing the deterrent power of our country, but at the same time to enhance the strategic autonomy of the European Union.”
Referring to the competitiveness of the European Union, the President of the Republic noted that “during our presidency we will work, inter alia, to reduce bureaucracy and administrative burden for the benefit of European enterprises and especially for small and medium -sized enterprises, which are the backbone of our economies.” “We will also work on issues such as removing obstacles for the single market, as well as the deepening of capital markets,” he added.
Noting that the meeting also discussed regional issues such as the ongoing illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine, President Christodoulides reiterated Cyprus’ clear position on the side of Ukraine. “Our position remains stable that there can be no viable peace in Ukraine without respecting the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the country,” he said.
Referring to the situation in the Middle East, he said that Cyprus, as the Member State representing the European Union in the region and with excellent relations with all states in the region, will use the EU Council Presidency, “with the sole aim of bringing Europe closer to our neighborhood”. In this context, he added, “we have exchanged views on the preparations of the informal European Council, as well as our planning for a meeting with leaders in the area and the two scheduled (councils) here in Cyprus, for which we will work closely with the President of the European Council and his team.”
The President of the Republic said he informed Antonio Costa on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue, the efforts of the Turkish side to resume negotiations on the basis of the agreed framework, the presence of the UN Secretary -General’s personal envoy to the Cyprus Epistle, as well as the Cyprus Epistles.
He thanked the President of the European Council “for the clear position of both itself and the European Union, as well as for the European Union’s readiness for practical and substantial involvement at all stages of the process”, as evidenced by the appointment of Johannes Han by the European Commission and the European Commission and by the European Commission. UN, before the expanded conference in Geneva.