Address by the Government Spokesman Mr Stephanos Stephanou at the Press Conference to present the preliminary website of the Cyprus 2012 EU Presidency, in Nicosia
We would like to present to you today, 1 July 2010, the preliminary website of the Cyprus EU Presidency. In two years time to the day, the heart of Europe will be transferred to its south-easternmost point, Cyprus, which will take over the Presidency of the EU Council on 1 July 2012.
The Cyprus Presidency can be characterised as a landmark event, a historic opportunity, a challenge and a strategic investment for our country. We are certain that it will be a reliable, effective, and valuable one. It will confirm that the Republic of Cyprus is not just an equal member of the European Union, but an active member and one which participates dynamically in the formation and development of the European entity.
As Presiding country, Cyprus will, more than ever before, in cooperation with EU institutions, have the opportunity to shape EU decisions, decisions that are of critical importance to the 500 million European citizens, and to become a bridge of communication with the world beyond the European continent thereby making the voice of Europe heard worldwide.
At the same time, Cyprus will have the opportunity to present and promote its own priorities, visions, ideas and initiatives for a united Europe within the EU itself. Our aim is to achieve a Presidency that will be defined by transparency and creativity, one that will enhance the social face of Europe.
On a national level, both the preparatory period, as well as the Presidency itself, will further boost the upgrading process already underway in the country and the fast-track modernisation of public sector services and organisations in view of the fact that we have before us a multi-faceted task requiring coordination and excellent organisation. This will improve Cyprus’ knowledge and experience and will undoubtedly constitute a valuable investment for the future.
Ultimately, a successful EU Presidency will constitute the best promotion of Cyprus both within Europe and further afield. Throughout the period of both the preparations and the Presidency itself, Cyprus will appear as a country with a very long history and an ancient civilisation, as well as a country with a resilient present and a robust future. The Cyprus Presidency will offer us many opportunities to promote our civilisation and traditions, our achievements and capabilities, as well as to put forward the potential the island offers for finance, trade, tourism, investments and education. The Cyprus Presidency provides an opportunity to promote our country as a bridge of communication and cooperation between the EU and the Eastern Mediterranean region and the Middle East, as well as with other countries, despite our own political problem of being a country under occupation faced with a de facto division.
The Cyprus government, fully aware of the importance that a successful Presidency entails, based on proper, well-coordinated and timely preparation, has set up a special Secretariat for the Cyprus EU Presidency, headed by Dr Andreas Moleskis and reporting directly to the President of the Republic himself. The task of the Secretariat is difficult and demanding but we are certain that its staff will meet the challenge successfully. A necessary prerequisite to exercising the Presidency successfully is the cooperation of all organisations, both public and private, of the civil society and of social partners, as well as of each and every one of us as individuals. Here allow me to stress the role and contribution of the mass media in properly recording and presenting the aims and achievements of the Cyprus Presidency. Within this context and in order to facilitate their job, the Cyprus government, in cooperation with the Secretariat of the Cyprus EU Presidency, is planning a series of training seminars and fact-finding visits to help Cypriot journalists achieve a deeper understanding of the way European institutions function and how the decision-making process works.
The preliminary website of the Cyprus EU Presidency that we present to you today will form a source of information on the preparations currently underway in view of the great challenge of Cyprus taking over the EU Presidency in the latter half of 2012. I will not go into detail as to the content of the website, as I will leave that up to Dr Moleskis, however, I would just like to point out that the website will be in English and French, as well as in the official languages of the Republic of Cyprus, Greek and Turkish. It is the ardent hope of all of us that by the time that Cyprus takes over the Presidency on 1 July 2012, it will be a united Cyprus.
In conclusion I would like to warmly thank the Secretariat of the Cyprus EU Presidency, the Press and Information Office and the Department of Information Technology Services for their help in planning, creating and operating the preliminary website of the Cyprus Presidency, which will stay live until the launch of the official website, on the eve of Cyprus taking over the Presidency. I am convinced that with everyone’s cooperation Cyprus will fully utilise the time at its disposal so as to fulfil its aim of achieving a successful Presidency of the European Union.
