Informal Meeting of EU Ministers of Defence 26 - 27 September 2012 Nicosia, Cyprus 1 Published and edited by the Secretariat of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, Republic of Cyprus Welcome address and programme edited by Ministry of Defence, Republic of Cyprus Photographic credits: Photo Section of the Press and Information Office Maps: Department of Lands and Surveys, Republic of Cyprus Printed by Nicolaou Printing Group Information valid as of 20 September 2012. This information may be subsequently updated - please check the pdf version on cy2012.eu 2 3 Welcome Address It is a great pleasure to welcome you to Nicosia where our Informal Meeting of EU Ministers of Defence will take place. Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, is a sophisticated and cosmopolitan city in the Eastern Mediterranean, rich in history and culture that combines its historic past with the amenities of a modern city, despite the unfortunate fact that it remains the last divided capital in Europe. The venue of our meeting will be the ‘Zenon Kitievs’ hall, located within the newly renovated Filoxenia Conference Centre, where the heart of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union will be beating in the following months. Recently inaugurated by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, H.E. Mr Demetris Christofias, this facility has been transformed into a modern and technologically advanced Conference Centre, capable of ensuring organizational efficiency and the success of our meeting. We all bear witness to the rapidly expanding role of the European Union, in the global security environment of the 21st century, which is increasingly characterized by multi – faceted complexities, uncertainties and challenges. Within this fragile security context, the EU is called upon to undertake a protagonistic role, to become more capable, coherent and strategic as a global factor. Inarguably, in a world of financial austerity and limited national resources, the Common Security and Defence Policy still provides the EU with an invaluable tool to consolidate its presence in today’s crises theatres. To this end, it is evident that the EU has achieved significant progress in various CSDP issues, as is the pooling & sharing of military capabilities through a number of concrete and innovative projects. In addition, the EU’s comprehensive approach to crisis management has revealed a potential to attain coherence, as was displayed in the Horn of Africa where both civilian and military CSDP operations materialized. Nowadays, the international community is witnessing the dramatic changes underway in the region of the Middle East, North Africa and the Sahel, with great concern and agony. Authoritarian regimes are being overthrown and new forces are emerging at the forefront of internal developments, political reforms and regional balances. In this context, it is evident that the EU is called upon to operate in crises theatres, due to its proximity to the countries in the southern and eastern Mediterranean, with an array of CSDP tools at its disposal. Our goal is to support the peoples of the region in their effort to establish their own democratic institutions, societies and states. 4 In this framework, the Nicosia meeting will focus on the Security Issues in the EU’s Southern Neighbourhood, as well as on Capabilities, Operations and Missions of the EU. To this extent, I am confident that through constructive discussions, in the spirit of consensus, we will achieve yet another milestone in strengthening the global role of the EU as a soft, cultured, trustworthy and effective power for peace, security, stability and growth. Our Common Security and Defence Policy is built with common efforts. We share a common vision for a better Europe and a better World. We also share a common belief, that a better Europe is needed for a better World. Demetris Eliades Minister of Defence 5 6 Table of Contents Programme 8 1 Pins and Badges 12 2 Accommodation 12 3 Liaison Officers 13 4 Airports and Transfers 18 5 Transportation 19 6 City of Nicosia 21 7 The Meeting Venue 21 8 Interpretation 23 9 Security 23 10 Cyprus EU Presidency Website 23 11 Other useful information about Cyprus 23 12 Missions and Embassies 27 13 Contact Persons of Ministry of Education and Culture 34 14 Maps of Cyprus and Nicosia 35 7 Programme Wednesday, September 26, 2012 Before 16:00 Arrival and check - in at the Hotels 17:00 - 17:30 Transfer to the International Conference Centre 17:30 - 18:00 Welcome Drink 18:00 - 20:00 Working Session I: Security Issues in the EU’s Southern Neighbourhood with the participation of the EUSR for the Southern Mediterranean Region Ministers will be invited to discuss security developments in the EU’s southern neighbourhood, including Libya, the Sahel (in particular Mali), and the wider region. 20:00 - 20:30 Transfer to the dinner venue 20.30 - 22.30 Official dinner 22.30 Departure to the Hotels Thursday, September 27, 2012 Before 08:15 Check – out 08:15 - 08:45 Transfer to the International Conference Centre 09:00 - 10:45 Working Session II: Operations with the participation of the NATO Secretary General (tbc) and the EU Operation Commanders Ministers will be updated on the state of play with regard to the CSDP operations and missions (Atalanta, EUTM, EUCAP Nestor and Althea). As regards the Horn of Africa, Ministers will be invited to discuss the impact on the EU’s operational engagement of the ongoing political and security developments. 10:45 Family Photo 11:00 - 11:30 Coffee Break 11:30 - 13:00 Working Session III: Capabilities with the participation of the NATO Secretary General (tbc) 1. Pooling and Sharing Ministers will be invited to discuss the way ahead on pooling and sharing, in particular with a view to developing a more structured, long term approach. In order to stimulate the debate, a discussion paper by the European Defence Agency will be circulated prior to the meeting. 2. Battle Groups Ministers will be invited to take stock of the outcome of the Battlegroup coordination conference, and provide guidance on developing a more systematic approach to filling the Battlegroup roster. 13:00 - 13:20 Press Conference 13:20 - 15:00 Lunch 8 9 10 11 1. Pins and Badges Once registration is completed, a pin will be available for the head of each delegation and blue badges will be issued for the other delegates and security officers. On arrival in Cyprus, delegations will be given pins and badges by their liaison officers. Delegates arriving separately may receive their badges at Larnaka International Airport (LCA), as early as two days prior to the meeting and up until 5:00 a.m. on the day of the meeting. Alternatively, they can receive their badges at the Accreditation Centre located adjacent to the entrance of the Filoxenia Conference Centre. Two red floaters (i.e. transferable non-nominative badges) will be given to each delegation, providing access to the plenary venue (Zenon Kitievs Hall). Media representatives will hold yellow badges that provide access to the Cypress Media Centre. Access to the various areas of the meeting venue (Filoxenia Conference Center) is defined by the colour of each badge. A plan indicating the areas of the meeting venue will be available at the information point inside the Conference Centre. If a badge or pin is lost, it must be reported immediately to the liaison officer of the delegation or to the Accreditation Centre. 2. Accommodation The rooms are booked for three nights from the 25th September (check-in) to the 28th September (check-out). The Cyprus Presidency covers the accommodation expenses of one overnight stay (on a bed and breakfast basis) for the Head of delegation and a member of delegation at Hilton Park Hotel or Hilton Cyprus Hotel. Reservations were made according to the requests received through the on-line registration system. Any other costs incurred (telephone calls, pay per view TV, minibar, room service, dry cleaning, bar, etc) will not be covered by the Cyprus Presidency and must be paid to the hotel directly, normally upon checkout. All other participants cover their costs fully. 12 The Cyprus Presidency has pre-booked rooms in the following hotels: Hilton Park Hotel Griva Dighenis Avenue, Nicosia, 1507, Cyprus +357 22695111 +357 22351918 [email protected] Cleopatra Hotel 8, Florinis Street, Nicosia 1065 +357 22844000 +357 22844222 [email protected] Hilton Cyprus Hotel 98, Arch. Makarios III Avenue, 1077 Lefkosia +357 22377777 +357 22377788 [email protected] Castelli Hotel 38, Ouzounian Street, 1010 Nicosia +357 22712812 +357 22680176 [email protected] 3. Liaison Officers A Liaison Officer is assigned to each delegation to help for the duration of the visit, from arrival at the airport to departure. The Liaison Officer will assist with logistics (airport formalities, hotel check-in, transport etc) and serve as a link to the Cyprus Presidency. The Liaison Officer will accompany the delegation at the meeting venue, to deal with any issues and additional requests the delegation may have during the meeting. Requests for bilateral meetings should also be communicated through the Liaison Officer. Each delegation is advised to appoint one of its members as the main contact person for the Liaison Officer. 13 Austria Vasilis Vasiliades [email protected] +357 99549354 Belgium Mariza Hadjisotiriou [email protected] +357 99549359 Bulgaria Nicholas Kotzakolis [email protected] +357 99549363 Czech Republic Panagiotis Chatzimichail [email protected]