The Cyprus Presidency will attempt to contribute to the greatest possible extent and within its competence to achieving a Better Europe for the benefit of the citizens of Europe, Cyprus President and President of the Council of the EU Demetris Christofias stressed here today.
Addressing the plenary of the European Parliament on the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency, he said that Cyprus assumes the six-month Council Presidency for the first time since its European Union accession, during a very difficult period for the Union.
The global economic crisis affects several member states, while the Eurozone countries bear the greatest pressure, he pointed out, adding that “undoubtedly, the challenges our Union faces require a decisive and firm European response,” he noted.
He said that “a constantly better Europe is a universal demand of European citizens. We have the obligation to listen to our citizens and to try our best for a Union that means more to its citizens. A Europe of social cohesion, prosperity, security and growth.”
“ We shall work tirelessly this semester to promote, within the Council and to the extent of our competences, any legislative initiative that will contribute to achieve social solidarity and effectiveness in the Union. Towards a Union with far more visible benefits for the welfare of European citizens,” President Christofias noted.
“This is our general policy-objective for the semester of the Cyprus Presidency and we hope that this effort will be supported and assisted by all the institutions, especially that of the European Parliament,” he said.