President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides will brief European leaders on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue within the framework of the European Council in Brussels.
According to a written statement by Government Spokesman, Konstantinos Letymbiotis, the President of the Republic, left for Brussels on Wednesday afternoon, where he will participate in the European Council.
President Christodoulides will take part in the European People’s Party (EPP) meeting on the morning of October 17, during which he will brief the EPP members on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue. He will also attend an extended meeting, in which the leaders of ten member states will participate, to discuss Immigration. The meeting, which will take place at the Italian Permanent Representation to the European Council, will be attended by President Christodoulides, the Prime Ministers of Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, Greece, Poland, the Czech Republic, Malta, Hungary, the Federal Chancellor of Austria and the President of the European Commission.
The aim of the meeting will be to coordinate and promote a common position on migration, and especially regarding the external dimension, exploring innovative solutions that could be considered, strengthening partnerships with countries of transit and origin, as well as creating conditions of decent and of voluntary returns of Syrians in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in light of the spread of the crisis in Lebanon.
After the meeting, President Christodoulides will participate in the deliberations of the European Council where he will brief the European leaders on the outcome of the meeting he held last night with the Secretary General of the United Nations and the Turkish Cypriot leader, as well as on the upcoming extended meeting to be convened by the Secretary General, in the context of examining the prospects for resuming negotiations. The Council will also discuss the developments in the Middle East.
President Christodoulides is expected to brief the EU leaders on the outcome of the MED9 Summit that was hosted by Cyprus on October 11, and in particular on the contribution of the King of Jordan to the Summit.
“Within this context, the President of the Republic will highlight once again the constructive role that Jordan and Egypt play in the region and will convey a message of support to Lebanon, at a time when everyone’s efforts are focused on avoiding further escalation of the tension” the Spokesman says.
On the sidelines of the Council, the President of the Republic will hold private meetings with his European counterparts.
The Council will also discuss Migration, the situation in Ukraine and Competitiveness, while foreign relations will be discussed during a working dinner.