As the 184 days of Cyprus first Presidency of the Council of the European Union are about to come to an end, this is the moment to look at the Presidency from an entirely “figurative” point of view. Within this six-month period, the Cyprus Presidency spared no effort and wasted no hour in order to achieve progress in the Council on a significant number of issues....

The Cyprus Presidency was committed from day one to do its utmost to work Towards a Better Europe, more relevant to its citizens and to the world and to promote European integration. In this framework, four priorities were set: (i) Europe, more efficient and sustainable, (ii) Europe, with a better performing and growth-based economy, (iii) Europe, more relevant to its citizens, with solidarity and social cohesion, and (iv) Europe in the world, closer to its neighbours....

In the framework of the Cyprus Presidency, the contemporary art exhibition entitled ‘Terra Mediterranea – In Crisis’ sees a dynamic group of artists from Cyprus, the surrounding area and beyond, use their artwork to scrutinise and reflect on the concept and manifestations of crisis....

A special avant-premiere of the musical comedy “Peter Pan: The Never Ending Story” was held today, December 19, at the Forest National concert hall in Brussels, under the patronage of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU. An audience of 2....

The President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr Demetris Christofias hosted a luncheon today to the EU Ambassadors to Cyprus, at the Presidential Palace. Speaking at the event the President referred to the main results of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union....

As the Cyprus Presidency nears its close, Ireland will be assuming the Presidency of the Council of the EU as of January 1. On this occasion, Cyprus’ Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Ambassador Andreas D. Mavroyiannis presented today an overview of the Cyprus Presidency’s achievements at a joint press conference in Brussels, along with representatives of the Irish Presidency....

An air of Cyprus has swept across Brussels during the past months. Not only in the meeting rooms of the enormous Council building Justus Lipsius, or through the customary Presidency decorations of the building, but also in the formal dining rooms and lunch rooms of the Council....

The Cyprus Presidency welcomed today’s European Parliament’s (EP) approval vote of the agreement concerning the 2013 EU budget and the draft amending budget (DAB) n 6 for 2012. The positive EP vote constitutes the final endorsement phase of the agreement, after the Council’s approval on December 6....

The President of the Republic of Cyprus Mr. Demetris Christofias will participate on 13-14 December in the last meeting of the EU Heads of State and Government during Cyprus’ six-month Presidency of the Council of the EU. The main agenda item at the summit is the next steps for the completion of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU)....

Cyprus’ Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Ambassador Andreas D. Mavroyiannis called today, December 12, for the swift adoption of the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) proposals. Ambassador Mavroyiannis was speaking in the European Parliament’s (EP) Plenary session, during his intervention concerning the preparations of the upcoming December European Council....

The Cyprus Presidency welcomed today's positive vote by the European Parliament (EP) Plenary on the unitary patent protection package. Following the successful endorsement of the package by the Competitiveness Council yesterday, December 10, the long road of establishing this important system is coming to an end....

The annual EU Budget for 2013, the unitary patent, preparations for the European Council meeting taking place on Thursday and Friday and other key issues concerning the EU will be discussed during the European Parliament’s Plenary Session taking place between December 10 and 13 in Strasbourg....

The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Demetris Chistofias, met today with the Council of the Presidents of the Federation of Employers and Industrialists of Member States of the EU and candidate countries (BUSINESSEUROPE), which convenes every six months in the country that holds the rotating Presidency of the EU....

An important step forward in the relations between the EU and Morocco was marked last week when the Trade Policy Committee of the Council, under the Cyprus Presidency, gave the green light for launching negotiations for a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) with the country....

On November 26 and 27, 2012, representatives from EU Member States, stakeholder groups, and the European Commission will gather at the EU Water Blueprint Conference in Lefkosia (Nicosia), to discuss the future of EU water policy. They will predominantly focus on the proposals for action in the “Blueprint to Safeguard Europe's Water Resources”, which was adopted by the Commission on November 14, 2012....

The Cyprus Presidency intervened today, November 21, at the European Parliament’s (EP) Plenary on crucial discussions, including the debate on the preparations of tomorrow’s special European Council meeting that will solely address the MFF, possible ways forward with the 2013 annual budget, as well as the upcoming Climate Change Conference, in Doha....

The two co-legislators, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament reached an agreement on the proposal for a Regulation on food intended for infants and young children and food for special medical purposes. The new regulation aims to clarify, simplify and improve the legal framework on specific food for vulnerable people, as well as ensuring that the adequate level of information to consumers is provided with appropriate labelling requirements....

The Cyprus Presidency, through its Justice and Public Order Minister, Mr. Loucas Louca, intervened during the second day of the European Parliament’s (EP) Plenary session which took place today, Tuesday, November 20 in Strasbourg. The Cypriot Minister intervened in the discussions concerning the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), stressing that an integrated financial framework needed to be put in place, where the EU’s banking sector would be strengthened....

The Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), preparations for the special European Council meeting on Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the Budget for 2013 and other key issues concerning the EU will be discussed during the European Parliament’s Plenary Session taking place between November 19 and 22....

During its six-month duration, the number of meetings organised on the island by the Cyprus Presidency will total 170, while it is also hosting an array of cultural and other events. With an expected 40,000 people visiting Cyprus from July to December, the arrangement of transport, accommodation and catering can seem an insurmountable task....