The Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) will play an important role in strengthening competitiveness, strengthening the single market and concluding trade agreements. This was stated by the President of the European Commission (EC), Ursula von der Leyen, during a joint press conference with Cypriot President Nikos Christodulides in Limassol, after a joint meeting of the College of Commissioners with members of the Cypriot government, informs TASR.
- The Cyprus Presidency will strengthen the EU’s competitiveness and single market.
- The main areas are defence, competitiveness, decarbonisation and democracy.
- The Cyprus Presidency will support the new EU budget and trade agreements.
- Innovations, reduction of administrative burden and new legislation are essential.
- The EU is preparing the largest free trade zone with Mercosur.
The head of the EC recalled that, under the current geopolitical situation, an appropriate motto for the Cyprus presidency would be “an autonomous Union open to the world”. According to her, this means that the EC and Cyprus will work together on three key areas that will strengthen the independence of the EU – security and defense, competitiveness and decarbonization, democracy and partnerships
Defense and Ukraine
According to her, more progress was made in the field of defense last year than decades before, and she added that Ukraine is closely connected with the field of security and defense. She reminded Christodulides that the Cypriot presidency will play a key role in securing a quick agreement between the EU Council and the European Parliament on the €90 billion loan tabled by the European Commission on Wednesday (15/01).
She appreciated that Cyprus wants to work with the EC on a more competitive Europe. She emphasized the importance of innovation and that freedom of research is guaranteed in the EU and that the “Choose Europe” program was launched last May. The Cyprus Presidency will organize a conference on this program in May.
Legislation and innovations
“The heart of our economy is the single market,” Von der Leyen said, stressing that the EC will present a legislative package for the 28th tax regime to support innovative companies in the Union – a single and simple set of rules for operating within the EU and to reduce bureaucracy.
She pointed out that the solution to high energy prices is key to the competitiveness of the EU, while the EU institutions have already prepared several key proposals. The Cyprus Presidency will seek consensus among member states for the approval of legislation on electricity networks and for the granting of permits.
Reducing the load
“We continue to work on simplifying and reducing the administrative burden,” said the head of the EC, specifying that up to 10 “omnibuses”, i.e. packages to simplify the rules, are being prepared.
“During the Cyprus presidency, they must achieve their goal. The business sector is waiting for it. In total, this burden reduction will save 12 billion euros per year,” she explained.
Trade agreements
The head of the EC did not forget the “strengthening and growing network of trade agreements” of the EU, which, according to her, help to diversify and reduce risks. She mentioned that “history will be made” in Paraguay on Saturday when, after 25 years of negotiations, the EU signs a partnership agreement with Mercosur, creating the world’s largest free trade area.
“We are working hard to conclude trade negotiations with India at the end of the month, still under the Cyprus presidency. As well as with other partners such as Australia, the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia,” she said.
The future EU budget
Von der Leyen confirmed that Cyprus would play a key role in pushing for the EU’s future long-term budget, with EU leaders at a summit in December backing the idea of having a “modern and ambitious EU budget” in place by the end of 2026.
