Nicosia, Cyprus. France has “many expectations” for Cyprus’ six-month term as the holder of the Council of the European Union’s rotating presidency, French minister delegate for internal affairs Marie-Pierre Vedrenne said on Thursday.
Meeting in Nicosia
Speaking after a meeting with Cypriot Justice Minister Costas Fitiris in Nicosia, Vedrenne said she was satisfied with the “strengthening of relations” between Cyprus and France in recent years.
Macron comments in Paris
Her comments echoed remarks by President Emmanuel Macron last month during President Nikos Christodoulides’ visit to Paris, when Macron said France “knows that we can count on [Cyprus] to ensure that Europe asserts its own interests and strategic autonomy”.
Macron said both countries “share the same vision for a strong and sovereign Europe, facing our challenges and security threats”, citing unfair trade practices and threats to democracy and youth, as well as electoral interference and the protection of children in the age of social media.
Support on security, competitiveness and EU initiatives
Macron said Christodoulides “can count on France’s support to strengthen security and defence on our continent”.
He also said Cyprus can count on France’s help in implementing “an agenda of competitiveness, regulatory simplification, European preference, investment in strategic sectors, and the defence of the capital markets union”.
The “European preference” refers to incentivising businesses, individuals and governments to purchase goods and services from within the European single market rather than from outside it. The “capital markets union” is an EU initiative aimed at integrating member states’ capital markets, which would allow investments and savings to flow more easily across the bloc if completed.
“You know that for this presidency, France will be by your side, supporting your initiatives, and acting in an advisory capacity with you,” Macron said.
What do you expect Cyprus to prioritise during its EU Council rotating presidency?