Adding the Final Touches to the Presidency IN BRIEF Cyprus unveils the visual identity of its first ever Presidency. The DANISH SUPPORT July handover of the Presidency of the EU is only one month On May 15th Cyprus and away. D e n m a r k s i g n e d a Filoxenia Presidency hub opens M e m o r a n d u m o f Understanding providing for I n a n o f fi c i a l cooperation during the Cyprus ceremony on May EU Presidency. It provides that part of the chairmanship of 1 5 t h , P r e s i d e n t working groups on international Christofias environmental issues and inaugurated the forestry will be assigned to D e n m a r k . P o l i t i c a l newly renovated responsibility lies with the F i l o x e n i a Republic of Cyprus, while conference centre. It Cypriot officers will attend the will be a hub of meetings and monitor negotiations. This practice, it is activities during the noted, has been followed in the Cyprus Presidency past by other member states. of the EU. At a cost The memorandum was signed of 20.5 million The newly renovated Filoxenia conference centre in Nicosia. in Brussels, by Cyprus’ Agriculture Minister Sofoklis euros for renovations, “Filoxenia” (meaning hospitality) has a main Aletraris and Danish Minister conference room, ministers luncheon hall, and restaurants. The building is for the Environment Ida Auken. equipped with interpreting, teleconference and audiovisual information facilities. The premises also boast ‘CYPRESS’ press centre, which can BRITAIN accommodate up to 500 people. A special provision has also been made in Britain is ready to offer technical and any other the premises for the official host broadcaster (CyBC). assistance to the government of Cyprus, ahead of its EU Presidency. British Employment  Sails hoisted high, a ship sails to European Affairs Andreas Minister Chris Grayling said the heart of Europe, or is it a bird Mavroyiannis noted that the logo May 15th, after a meeting with carrying the message of peace? It is expresses “in a simple but eloquent Cypriot Minister of Labour and Social Insurance Soteroulla both. The new logo of the Cyprus manner the character of Cyprus as Charalambous. "We regard our Presidency was unveiled at the country presiding the Council. friendship with Cyprus as of Filoxenia conference centre on Explaining the colours, he said its very great importance”, he May 9th. It is the product of an three sails are “copper and green, noted. He concurred that the decision of the Cyprus open call for designs which was colours inspired by our flag and the presidency to focus on the issue won by Partners group, who will also sun-bathed and dotted with olive of children, their welfare, their work on the visual identity of the trees copper producing land of support and upbringing is presidency. Deputy Minister for Cyprus” and the “blue of the sea absolutely correct. and the clear friendly sky, which CROATIA provides cover for the harmonious On May 3rd the House of co-existence of peoples, and also Representatives unanimously b e t w e e n m a n a n d t h e approved Croatia’s Treaty environment.” He stressed that this of Accession to the EU. The vote was held in the presence of new journey “is a turning point in Tomislav Vidosevic, Croatia’s our modern history. This journey Ambassador to Cyprus. Croatia will prove that Cyprus is an equal, will become the 28th EU reliable and responsible member of member on July 1st 2013, with the ratification of the Treaty of the EU, ready to respond to the Accession by all 27 EU member expectations of all the citizens of states and a referendum that Europe,” he noted. will be held in Croatia.

MONTHLY BULLETIN ISSUE 27 COVERING THE PERIOD 1-30 MAY JUNE 2012 AUSTRIAN TIES In Vienna, President of the Republic Demetris Christofias met with the President of Austria Heinz Fischer, during his official visit to the country on May 21st. The talks covered the current situation in Cyprus, the economic crisis and the Eurozone, the Common Foreign and Security Policy, EU integration, Turkey's EU course and the peace process in the Middle East. During the meeting, a Memorandum on the avoidance of double taxation was signed between the two countries. President Christofias with Austrian President Fischer on the official visit.

Austrian Support for Cyprus PRESIDENCY The first meeting of the President Fischer expressed the conviction that President of the Republic of Cyprus presidency took Cyprus Demetris Christofias will never abandon his goal to find a settlement place on May 25th in Nicosia. of the Cyprus problem, even if this goal seems to be unattainable for the time The Department of Industrial being. Christofias thanked Austria for its support: ''We are very grateful for the Relations of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance long standing contribution and participation of your country in the United hosted a meeting of the Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus''. He went on to denounce Turkey’s Directors General of Industrial recent threats to the EU presidency: ''We are particularly concerned by the Relations of EU member states and representatives of the obvious delaying tactics, which the Turkish side is using. This obstruction, European Commission. Top of combined with threats by Turkey against the Cyprus Presidency of the EU the agenda was the presentation Council and also against the sovereignty of the Republic in our Exclusive of the new ''employment Economic Zone, are an anachronism that cannot be accepted”. package'' which proposes new measures and opportunities for

During the two-day official visit on May 21st, talk turned to energy as well. employment. They also discussed the Commission's President Fischer stated that ''Cyprus has good prospects after the discovery of proposals relating to the natural gas resources. Of course it would be a positive development if we creation of a European could have energy coming from an EU country. This would be good for both Platform to combat undeclared the EU and Cyprus, but also for Turkey”. At a working lunch between work. President Christofias and the Chancellor of Austria Werner Faymann, in CULTURE Vienna, they discussed possibilities to further promote economic and trade The European Commission has cooperation between the two countries. launched a two million euro project to preserve cultural Swiss backing on Cyprus issue heritage in Cyprus. The project is part of the European President of Switzerland Eveline Widmer – Commission's aid programme Schlumpf at the Presidential Palace after holding for the Turkish Cypriot talks with President Christofias on May 18th, community. Commenting on the commencement of the expressed her regret that the UN led talks which aim project on May 8th, EU to resolve the Cyprus issue are not going as President Commissioner Stefan Fule Christofias would wish, expressing Switzerland’s expressed the belief that ''this readiness to support the process if requested. “As new project will help preserve the island's cultural heritage Switzerland we would wish for a solution to be found and will foster trust and in the next months, in the next year”, she noted, reconciliation in Cyprus. adding that “I think it would be very important for Cooperation and joint efforts this wonderful region.” During his talks with the by all communities will be necessary to make this pilot Mrs Widmer-Schlumpf, President Christofias project a success.'' The EU Swiss President Widmer-Schlumpf outlined the Cyprus EU Council priorities, such as contribution will allow economic governance, the Common Asylum System emergency support works to be and President Christofias take a carried out on six sites, walk outside the Presidential Palace and monitoring of the effective implementation of including the Othello Tower in during her official visit to Cyprus. the “Europe 2020” Strategy. Famagusta. MONTHLY BULLETIN ISSUE 27 - 2 - JUNE 2012 The EU won’t accept blackmail from any country THE VIEW FROM BERLIN Discussing the main issues The Czech Foreign Minister, Karel which the Cyprus Presidency Schwarzenberg said that no non-EU hopes to conclude before the countries should proclaim conditions on any end of their presidency in member state. Speaking at a meeting during December 2012, Interior Minister Eleni Mavrou was a working visit to Cyprus with Foreign in Berlin. The main issues Minister Marcoullis on May 8th, the Czech include the Common European Minister referred to threats issued by Turkey Asylum System, immigrant to boycott Cyprus' upcoming presidency of integration as well as improving EU civil protection. To this end the EU. Mr Schwarzenberg said that Turkey she met with her German "instead of using this in its own ambition to counterpart Hans-Peter become a member of the EU, evidently, it Czech Foreign Minister Schwarzenberg with Friedrich as well as members of acts in the wrong way to the Cyprus Minister Marcoullis Source: CNA NGOs during her visit on May 8th. She found out the German presidency.” He added, “I can assure one thing that the EU and its member positions on different issues and states won’t let blackmail by anybody in the world. We have a member state the margin of manoeuvre and the member state is entitled to the presidency”. Schwarzenberg also possible for achieving progress wished Cyprus well for the extraction of natural gas from its territorial especially in justice and home affairs. The German Minister waters, another issue which Turkey continues to dispute. In the spirit of reiterated his commitment to solidarity, Marcoullis reflected upon the shared past of the Czech Republic helping Mavrou and the Cyprus and Cyprus: “We have embarked on this very important membership in the Presidency to achieve compromise in the areas of EU in the family of the EU”. Both countries joined the union in 2004. justice and home affairs.

Foreign Visits: Finland, Luxembourg CHINESE MEDICINE On a working visit to Finland Foreign Affairs Minister Erato Kozakou– Minister of Health Stavros Marcoullis held talks with her Finnish counterpart Erkki Tuomioja on May Malas and his Chinese 10th. Ahead of the Cyprus presidency, Marcoullis briefed him of recent counterpart Chen Zu met on May 15th in Beijing. They developments of the ongoing negotiations on the Cyprus problem as well as discussed ways in which Cyprus the Turkish threats against Cyprus' sovereign right to conduct exploratory and China could cooperate in research for hydrocarbon reserves in its Exclusive Economic Zone. the medical sector. The ministers discussed promoting  On May 15th, responding to an invitation from her Luxemburgish t r a d i t i o n a l C h i n e s e counterpart Jean Asselborn, FM Marcoullis paid a visit to Luxembourg. medicine in combination with The pair discussed ways of cooperating during the upcoming Cyprus conventional medicine, through the establishment of a medical Presidency; special emphasis was given to developments in the countries of centre in Cyprus, with a view to the Arab Spring and the Southern Neighborhood. Marcoullis was also attract medical tourism. Malas received by Prime Minister Jean-Claude Junker, who also heads the Euro proposed the establishment of Group. They had a constructive discussion on the current Eurozone crisis and accredited educational institutions in Cyprus that Cyprus’ priorities. would provide education in the fields of Chinese traditional Spokespersons for the Presidency medicine to European citizens.

“The Presidency is one of the biggest "We are confident that the Republic BANKING challenges for Cyprus, especially having in of Cyprus will successfully carry out Following a lengthy debate on mind that we will take over the Presidency the task of the Presidency. It has the May 3rd, the House of necessary human resources and Representatives, approved a d u r i n g government bill granting state e xce ptionall y expertise to b a c k i n g t o t h e difficult time for w i t h s t a n d recapitalisation efforts of the European successfully the Cyprus Popular Bank t h e which posted record losses for Union”. obligations of 2011 due to its heavy exposure to Greek sovereign debt. It t h e provides for the state to Presidency" underwrite the CPB’s capital raising of 1.8 billion euros Nikos M a r i a n n a through a rights issue. An Christodoulides, Karageorgis, independent advisor will Presidency P r e s i d e n c y submit a restructuring plan to Spokesperson Spokesperson the Central Bank once (Coreper II) (Coreper I) appointed. MONTHLY BULLETIN ISSUE 25 APRIL 2012 MONTHLY BULLETIN ISSUE 27 - 3 - JUNE 2012 Energy Deals TURKISH THREATS Minister of Commerce, Industry The Cyprus Foreign Ministry and Tourism Neoklis Sylikiotis issued an announcement on said Cyprus is working towards May 18th condemning new Turkish threats as regards completing all dossiers it will Cyprus’ right to explore handle as part of its Presidency a n d e x p l o i t i t s in the field of energy. Speaking hydrocarbon reserves in its at an event organised by Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone NGO Terra Cypria and the (EEZ). The Foreign Ministry denounced the “illegal and European Environmental Bureau provocative behavior” of in Nicosia on May 10th, he said Map showing offshore Cyprus hydrocarbon exploration blocks during Turkey, which attempts to that the main dossiers involve second licensing round. “promote its expansionist securing energy supply, Source: Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism designs in Cyprus”. It reiterated that Cyprus has competitiveness and sustainable development. always acted in accordance with international law and enjoyed Guidelines on inter-European energy infrastructure, aiming to implement strong support from the EU decisions on the common energy market until 2014 and renewables are international community. The all up for discussion. He noted that the recent discovery of natural gas in plans to search, explore and Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone has put them in a good position to end exploit its natural wealth will not be affected by the recent energy isolation, and make Europe more energy independent. threats. Concerning the Regulation for Renewable Energy Sources, he said it will be SCHULZ ON TURKISH THREATS the focus of the informal meeting of EU Energy Ministers scheduled for On May 20th whilst in Cyprus, September 17th. They aim to have final conclusions by the December European Parliament President Martin Schulz assured President Council. Under the Danish Presidency the Directive for Energy Efficiency Christofias that he is going to has progressed, said Sylikiotis, adding that Cyprus hoped to bring discuss the Turkish threats discussions to a successful conclusion following the July presidency handover. to Cyprus' hydrocarbon reserves with Turkish officials during his visit to Turkey at the end of the International interest high in natural gas month. Schulz said "we need Fifteen bids from five companies and ten from joint ventures were submitted m u t u a l r e s p e c t a n d comprehension and therefore by the May 11th closing time for the second licensing round for the threats are never meaningful”. hydrocarbon reserves in Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone. The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Neoklis Sylikiotis who closed the bidding said that Cyprus received bids from 29 companies, which placed their offers either individually or as part of a consortium. International interest was high with offers coming from 15 different countries including Cyprus. The rest of the countries are the UK, France, USA, Israel, Holland, Korea, Russia, Malaysia, Italy, Australia, Norway, Indonesia and Lebanon. President Christofias greets President Schulz. Bids will be evaluated by an advisory committee, which will submit its Source CNA recommendations to the Minister. The final decision will be taken by the During his visit to Turkey on C a b i n e t w i t h i n s i x May 28th, President Schulz months. Speaking at the condemned Turkey's threats to freeze ties with the EU during ceremony to close the bids Cyprus' Presidency. “I take note Sylikiotis said that the that a candidate state says to us results of the bidding we will not negotiate during the process “surpassed our Presidency of a member state of the European Union. I criticise expectations”. He also this. This is not possible”, he noted that this will bring said. Turkey's refusal to open its prosperity and progress to sea and air ports to ships from Cyprus still remains the major Minister Sylikiotis addresses the press at the end of the second bidding round. all Cypriots. stumbling block in membership Source: PIO talks.

MONTHLYMONTHLY BULLETIN BULLETIN ISSUE ISSUE 27 25 - 4 - JUNEAPRIL 2012 2012 EDUCATIONType to enter text PRIORITIES FOR THE PRESIDENCY COMMITTEES The Minister of Education and Culture, George Demosthenous On May 3rd members of the Environment Committee presented the education ministry’s presidency focus on May 23rd at a (ENVI)as well as the press conference. He will concentrate on education, culture, youth and Economic Committee sports, promoting Cyprus’ culture both inland and overseas and (ECON) of the European strengthening the students and educationalists on EU issues and Parliament met with their colleagues in the Cypriot House promoting the work that takes place in schools. Seventeen councils and of Representatives. The events will take place in Cyprus, the most important being a conference Committees were in Cyprus to on literacy to be held in September. High on the agenda is the finance for hold contacts before Cyprus education issues. The programme “Erasmus For All” has a 19 billion euros takes over the EU rotating presidency in July. ENVI budget, while 1.8 billion has been earmarked for the “Creative Europe” members discussed climate programme and the “Europe for Citizens Programme” with a budget of change, desertification, coastal 229 million euros. He said the overall objective is to ensure excellent damage caused by economic development, agriculture and its preparation and implementation of the programme, effective management sustainable development. They of portfolios, tabling proposals to come to solutions. also discussed the destruction of Cyprus’ cultural heritage in the Turkish occupied areas of Defence Ministry prepares for the Presidency Cyprus, as well as Turkey’s Chief Executive of the European plans to build a nuclear power plant in Akkuyu, an area often Defence Agency (EDA) Claude- hit by earthquakes. It would be France Arnould has said the EDA will located on the southern shores support Cyprus during its Presidency. of Turkey close to Cyprus. The ECON committee focused on Speaking at a joint press conference measures taken to address the on May 22nd with Defense Minister economic crisis., as well as Demetris Eliades, following their talks, economic matters to be dealt Eliades thanked Arnould for EDA’s with during the Cyprus presidency. The Women’s support, adding that “cooperation, Defence Minister Eliades with EDA Chief Arnould. R i g h t s a n d G e n d e r support and advice from our EU E q u a l i t y C o m m i t t e e Source: EU Council partners and officials is useful and (FEMM) was in Cyprus on their help is very welcome”. The top issues discussed were Common Security May 4th, to discuss the main and Defence Policy aiming at securing peace, cooperation, stability and issues before the presidency. Women participation in politics, normality in EU and in neighboring countries. the violence against women as well as equal pay for women The Defence Ministry is ready to cooperate during the Cypriot Presidency of and men, were among the issues the Council of the EU with states under EU accession, including Turkey. discussed. Minister Eliades spoke at a press conference on May 18th on the role and contribution of the Ministry during the Cyprus Presidency. He noted that the Ministry would handle the responsibility of security and defence issues with READ MORE prudence. The Minister said that if Turkey does not wish to cooperate this will not be a problem of Cyprus but of Turkey towards the EU institutions, Cyprus Government www.cyprus.gov.cy with the EU itself. He reiterated that the Presidency represents and serves EU Foreign Affairs Ministry www.mfa.gov.cy Permanent Representation of Cyprus to policies and interests, and not national ones. “If we pursue something like this the EU www.mfa.gov.cy/permrepeu we will fail the challenge of the Presidency,” he noted. He announced that during the Cyprus Presidency, a Common Security and Defence Olympiad Cyprus News - Brussels with the participation of students from EU member states military schools edition is produced monthly will be held, as part of efforts to fulfill the goals of the European Security and by the Press Office of the Defence College. He also noted that “during our Presidency we will try to Permanent Representation of focus on developments in the Middle East and security in the region.” Eliades the Republic of Cyprus to the said that the EU has not formed a comprehensive policy on the Middle East EU. until now and that it is high time that “we look into this responsibly and collectively”. To this end a high-level seminar of EU-member states and other For all subscription enquiries please contact : states will be organized in Nicosia, July 2-3, on “The Middle East and pressoffi[email protected] Security”. Furthermore he announced that Lebanese Defence Ministry will 61 Avenue Cortenbergh, 1000 soon pay an official visit to Cyprus. Brussels, Belgium.

MONTHLYMONTHLY BULLETIN BULLETIN ISSUE ISSUE 27 25 - 5 - JUNEAPRIL 2012 2012