The Cyprus EU Council rotating presidency, due at the second half of 2012, aims to highlight EU relations with its southern neighbours and the Arab Gulf countries, Cyprus Minister of Foreign Affairs Erato Kozakou – Markoullis has said. According to an official press release on Wednesday, Markoullis, who was addressing the College of Commissioners in Brussels during a working lunch attended by President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and a ministerial delegation, said that “taking over the EU Council presidency during the second half of 2012 constitutes a historic challenge for Cyprus”.
At the same time, she added, it is an excellent opportunity for Cyprus to contribute to the achievement of EU visions and goals.“The EU enlargement process and the European Neighbourhood Policy will constitute top priorities for the Cyprus presidency”, she said.
Referring to the `Arab Spring`, she said that its tensions affected not only the societies of the countries concerned but also created the prerequisites for a transitional political process through democratic reform. Cyprus , she noted, will continue to play an important role due to is geographic position and its traditionally close relations with countries of the region, aiming to significantly contribute to the stability and the prosperity of these countries.
“Our goal during the Cyprus presidency is to highlight EU relations with our Southern and Arab partners with an aim to jointly proceed with policies and programmes”, she said. The Republic of Cyprus supports the full accession of Turkey in the European Union, provided ofcourse that the candidate country respects and fulfills all the responsibilities it has undertaken towards the EU and its member states, Markoullis pointed out.