The vision and the expectations of the Cyprus Presidency were presented today in Brussels by Deputy Minister, Ambassador Andreas D. Mavroyiannis, who emphasised that the Presidency will work 'Towards a Better Europe’. The priorities of the Cyprus Presidency were presented in a joint press conference with the Danish Permanent Representative to the EU, Ambassador Jeppe Tranholm – Mikkelsen....

On Wednesday July 4, 2012, at the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Demetris Christofias will present the Cyprus Presidency programme. At the plenary session the MEPs will have the opportunity to ask the President questions about the Presidency....

Shakespearean plays, classical music concerts and ancient Greek drama; the ancient Amphitheatre of Curium has long been regarded as the pinnacle of venues when it comes to artistic performances in Cyprus. It is no surprise therefore that the amphitheatre, built on a hill overlooking the sea, was chosen as the ideal setting for the start of Cyprus’ greatest moment in its European history, the assumption of the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU....

Now you can read the six month Programme of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU online. The Cyprus Presidency will work Τowards a Better Europe, more relevant to its citizens and to the world. The priorities of the Programme are:  Europe, more efficient and sustainable,    Europe, with a better performing and growth economy,    Europe, more relevant to its citizens, with solidarity and social cohesion and,    Europe in the world, closer to its neighbours....

There is no doubt that the Presidency of the EU Council will present enormous challenges for Cyprus in many ways. One of these challenges is how to keep local journalists and correspondents based in Brussels informed on discussions and decisions to be taken that could have an important impact on our daily lives and the course of Europe as a whole....

As Cyprus prepares to assume its first Presidency of the Council of the European Union, there is certainly no shortage of challenging items on the agenda over the next six months. The issue of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) is the number one priority for Cyprus’ Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Mr....