President to meet UN chief and Commission president
Christodoulides meetings in Brussels will take place today, where President Nikos Christodoulides is attending the European Council summit and is scheduled to hold talks with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
According to Government Spokesperson Constantinos Letymbiotis, the President will meet the UN chief on Wednesday afternoon following an initiative and letter sent by the President requesting the meeting.
Cyprus issue to be raised with UN Secretary-General
During the meeting, the President will reaffirm Cyprus’ political will for the immediate resumption of negotiations from the point where they stopped in Crans-Montana, on the basis of the agreed framework, the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the EU acquis, and the principles and values of the European Union.
He is expected to stress that maintaining the current deadlock cannot be an option and that the passage of time makes the need for meaningful progress even more urgent.
The President will also underline Cyprus’ readiness to actively support the efforts of the UN Secretary-General to create the necessary conditions for the restart of a credible, result-oriented process. He will note that convening an expanded conference under the UN Secretary-General could help break the impasse.
Talks with von der Leyen on regional issues and foot-and-mouth
Christodoulides will also hold a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, focusing on regional developments, the issue of foot-and-mouth disease, and support measures for those affected.
He will also brief the Commission president on the latest developments in efforts to resume substantive negotiations on the Cyprus issue.
Participation in Social Summit and policy event
The President will also take part in the Tripartite Social Summit, co-organised by the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission, as leader of the member state holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU.
The summit is a platform for dialogue between EU institutions and social partners on employment and economic matters. During his intervention, Christodoulides is expected to refer to quality jobs and stronger competitiveness as key conditions for a resilient and sustainable European economy.
A joint press conference will follow at the end of the summit.
Later today, the President will participate in an event organised by the European Policy Centre think tank, where he will present the vision and priorities of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU.
He is expected to highlight the need to strengthen the EU’s strategic autonomy, reinforce European security and defence, and promote unity, speed and effectiveness in decision-making, while underlining Cyprus’ role as a reliable partner and pillar of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.
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