The key debate at the European Parliament’s (EP) Plenary meeting in Strasbourg today, October 23, was held jointly on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and own resources. The Cypriot Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Ambassador Andreas D....

The Cyprus Presidency and the President of the European Parliament (EP), agreed today to mandate a Conciliation Committee with finding an agreement on the 2013 EU budget*. This follows the respective adoption of diverging positions by the European Parliament and the Council, concerning the draft EU budget for 2013 proposed by the European Commission....

The EU 2013 Budget, as well as the Multiannual Financial Framework and several other crucial issues concerning the EU will be discussed during the European Parliament’s (EP) two Plenary Sessions of  October 22 and 23 and  25 and 26 in Strasbourg....

Draft conclusions for the upcoming European Council meeting of October 18-19 were the main focus of the General Affairs Council (GAC) meeting, which took place today, 16 October, in Luxembourg. During the meeting, which was chaired by Cyprus’ Deputy Minister for EU Affairs, Ambassador Andreas D....

The General Affairs Council (GAC) has just agreed on a partial general approach on elements of the Cohesion Policy package for 2014-2020. This is an important achievement for the Cyprus Presidency and as Deputy Minister Ambassador Andreas D. Mavroyiannis, who chaired the meeting, stated, "cohesion policy is not only the most important tool of the EU for reducing disparities between the levels of development of the different regions, but  also constitutes a very effective catalyst for growth and employment"....

Ministers for European Affairs are set to discuss the new legislative package for Cohesion Policy during the General Affairs Council (GAC) meeting, which will take place in Luxembourg on October 16. The Cyprus Presidency aims to secure a partial general approach on certain elements of the proposal in the Council....

The President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr. Demetris Christofias leaves today for Brussels where he will attend and address the opening ceremony of the European Development Days forum entitled “Inclusive and Sustainable Growth for Human Development....

It is not by chance that the Earth is referred to as the ‘Blue Planet’. Around 70 per cent of the earth’s surface is covered by ocean. In the European Union alone, 22 of the 27 Member States have a coastline and two thirds of European frontiers are set by the sea....

The ‘Limassol Declaration’ on the Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP) of the European Union will stand out in history, President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr. Demetris Christofias said today, speaking at a joint press conference with the President of the European Commision Mr....

EU Ministers responsible for maritime affairs agreed and adopted yesterday a political declaration which looks to re-energise the EU’s Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP), five years after its initial launching in Lisbon. The Limassol Declaration was presented today, Monday, October 8 at a special ceremony in Limassol by Cyprus’ Communications and Works Minister, Mr....

The Cyprus Presidency has set the promotion of the EU’s Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP) as a strategic priority in the European Union, the President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr Demetris Christofias said today, pointing out that the EU should develop cooperation with third countries with which the Union shares the same sea basin....

EU Ministers responsible for maritime affairs are expected to agree and adopt a political declaration that looks to provide a new impetus to the EU’s Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP), during their two-day informal meeting in Cyprus on October 7 and 8....

Cohesion Policy should aim to bring out the competitive advantage of each European region and it constitutes “the most practical demonstration of European solidarity” according to Cyprus Deputy Minister, Ambassador Andreas D. Mavroyiannis....

It has been identified by the Cyprus Presidency as one of its biggest successes. European Parliament Member (MEP), Mr. George Koumoutsakos has labelled it “a necessary boost”, while fellow MEP, Ms. Gesine Meissner already considers it a landmark, as it will inform the wider public of “the importance of maritime policy for the future of the EU”....

EU Ministers for European Affairs today expressed their willingness to use the revised Negotiating Box as a basis for reaching a compromise by the end of the year in the negotiations for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The revised Negotiating Box, which outlines the main elements and options for the MFF negotiations, was the main focus of discussions during today’s General Affairs Council meeting in Brussels....

EU Ministers for European Affairs are set to continue their discussions on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) this week, at the General Affairs Council meeting, which will take place in Brussels on September 24. The Cyprus Presidency’s revised Negotiating Box, which outlines the main elements and options for the MFF negotiations, is expected to be the focus of the discussions during the meeting....

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Dr. Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis paid an official visit to Iceland on September 17, in her capacity as chair of the General Affairs Council of the EU, responsible for enlargement. The main issue discussed during her meetings was Iceland's accession process....

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Dr. Εrato Kozakou- Marcoullis will visit Iceland on Sunday September 16, to discuss the country’s European perspective. Dr. Marcoullis, in her capacity as chair of the General Affairs Council of the European Union, responsible for enlargement, will hold meetings with Icelandic officials with whom she will extensively discuss the country’s EU accession process....

The role of the Committee of Regions and of the local and regional authorities in general, under the conditions of an economic crisis was the focus of the meeting held today by the President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr Demetris Christofias with the President of the Committee of Regions of the EU(CoR) Mr Ramon Luis Valcárcel....

Negotiations on the EU’s new seven-year budget for the period 2014-2020 entered a new phase as European Ministers and State Secretaries for European Affairs met today in Lefkosia (Nicosia). During the informal meeting, Member States positioned themselves on key issues of the MFF....