President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides briefed European Union leaders on the outcomes of the six-month Cyprus EU presidency, highlighting substantial progress across the five main priority pillars set by Nicosia.
According to information from the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), the President addressed the European Council meeting held on Thursday in Brussels, noting that significant agreements were reached in several policy areas that had remained unresolved for more than a decade.
Breakthrough on key EU budget framework
Christodoulides placed particular emphasis on the most important file handled during the Cyprus EU presidency: the new Multiannual Financial Framework.
He noted that an advanced negotiating framework was delivered, including concrete figures, while agreement was also achieved within the Council on key financial regulations. He expressed confidence that this represents a decisive step towards reaching a full political agreement by the end of the year.
Progress on defence, migration and enlargement
The President also outlined achievements in defence and security, support for Ukraine, migration policy and EU enlargement, describing enlargement as a strategic priority of the Cyprus EU presidency.
Special reference was made to accession negotiations involving Ukraine, Moldova, Albania and Montenegro. Christodoulides highlighted that the presidency achieved the opening of the first cluster of chapters on “fundamentals” for Ukraine and Moldova through two historic intergovernmental conferences.
Agreements with third countries and energy focus
The President further informed EU leaders about agreements reached with third countries in areas including competitiveness, simplification and energy policy.
He also stressed outcomes affecting citizens’ daily lives, achieved through trilogues with the European Parliament.
Reforms affecting citizens highlighted
Among key examples, he pointed to the revision of the Air Passenger Rights Regulation, coordination of social security systems, the Critical Medicines Act, the agreement on the Returns Regulation, and the implementation of the Migration and Asylum Pact.
Christodoulides underlined that these reforms directly improve the daily experience of EU citizens and reflect tangible results of the Cyprus EU presidency.
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