Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, and her Croatian counterpart, Andreja Metelko-Zgombić, who paid a working visit to Cyprus, exchanged on Wednesday views on the prospects for further strengthening of Cyprus-Croatia cooperation in view of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2026.
The General Secretariat for European Affairs said in a press release that “during the meeting, the two sides confirmed the excellent level of bilateral relations and the close cooperation between Cyprus and Croatia both at the bilateral level and within the framework of the European Union (EU)”.
“They exchanged views on the prospects for further strengthening cooperation in view of the fact that Cyprus will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026”, the press release noted.
It is added that in this context, Raouna informed her Croatian counterpart about the preparations for assuming the Presidency, and both sides exchanged views on important European files, which the Cyprus Presidency will be called upon to handle, such as the Multiannual Financial Framework, the Common Agricultural Policy, enlargement and EU competitiveness.
“The two Deputy Ministers also agreed that the formation of the MED9, which Croatia will chair in 2026, can be a tool for strengthening the voice of the Mediterranean member states within the EU, with the aim of addressing common challenges and promoting common positions,” the press release said.
In relation to developments in the Middle East, Raouna “referred to the important role of Cyprus as a pillar of security and stability in the wider region and as a bridge between the EU and the Middle East, and informed about the recent contacts of President Christodoulides in Egypt and Lebanon”.
“The two Deputy Ministers agreed to further strengthen the role of the EU in the region, as well as to create strategic relations between the EU and countries of the wider Middle East and the Gulf”, it is noted.
It is further added that the discussion also focused on migration, with the two Deputy Ministers emphasizing the importance of implementing the Pact on Migration and Asylum, as well as the need to manage the external aspect of migration.
Raouna also informed her counterpart about the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and the efforts made by the Greek Cypriot side to resume negotiations, on the basis of the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, the press release concluded.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
A great pleasure to welcome @AndrejaMetelko, Croatia’s 🇭🇷 State Secretary for Europe, to Cyprus 🇨🇾 today. We held productive discussions, inter alia, on:
— Marilena Raouna (@marilena_raouna) January 15, 2025
✅ Key issues on the European agenda, including EU reforms, enlargement, competitiveness and connectivity, the Multiannual… pic.twitter.com/w7NlcsA7r1
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Source: CNA
