It is important that Cyprus is represented in the Councils of Ministers of the EU so that the views of the country are also heard, the Commissioner for Health and Food Safety of the EU, Stella Kyriakidou, said on Friday after her first meeting with the new President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulidis. at the Presidential Palace. The President of the Republic stated the will of the Cypriot Government for an active presence in the EU Institutions, said after the meeting, the Government Spokesman, Konstantinos Letypiotis.
In her statements, leaving the Presidential Palace, Mrs. Kyriakidou said that she had "a first meeting with the friendly new President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Christodoulidis", and that they had the opportunity to touch on several issues concerning her own portfolio , and not only.
He also stated that he informed him about the issues he is dealing with in the coming months that also concern Cyprus, such as the presentation at the end of March of a new pharmaceutical strategy regarding the adequacy of medicines and equal access and the issues regarding the new legislation for animal welfare. At the same time, he added, they agreed with the President of the Republic that there will be a very close cooperation with her own team, "for our issues and the competent Ministers".
"I am sure that we will continue to have an excellent cooperation", she noted, wishing President Christodoulidis, "every success in the difficult task he has undertaken".
Asked about the President's instructions for a strong presence of the Ministers in the relevant EU institutions, Mrs. Kyriakidou noted that "it is absolutely correct".
"We must realize that Cyprus is a member state of the EU and that in the decisions made in the councils, we have a position and we must also have an opinion as a country," he added.
She noted that she, as a European Commissioner, is in the councils that concern the issues of her own portfolios, and is in close cooperation with all the Ministers of the member states, "but it is certainly important that our country is also represented in the councils so that our opinions can be heard". The final decisions which are then adopted in Cyprus as in all member states, "concern us and we must have a position and opinion", he concluded.
The Government Spokesperson in his statements to the journalists said that during the meeting Ms. Kyriakidou congratulated the President of the Republic on assuming his duties, while the President congratulated Ms. Kyriakidou on the valuable work she is doing at the EU level.
"The President of the Republic stated once again the will of the Cypriot Government for an active presence in the EU Institutions, and referred to the instructions he has given to the Ministers that all attend the Councils of Ministers of the EU and that Cyprus has a strong voice in the Councils , that the Council of Ministers be informed about the priorities of the EU and that Cyprus as a member state has interventions of substance in the EU, always taking into account the role that the EU can play in, beyond our great national problem, also in internal governance ", said Mr. Letympiotis.
He also said that the President of the Republic referred to the contacts he will have in the next period and developed his proposal for the more active involvement of the EU in terms of breaking the deadlock and the progress of the negotiations.
He also informed Mrs. Kyriakidou about the telephone communication she had with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel and about the topics on the agenda that will be at the European Council next March.
Source: KYPE