Cyprus deputy minister says EU presidency success hinges on building public trust

Brussels, Belgium. Cyprus deputy minister for European affairs Marilena Raouna said on Tuesday that the success of Cyprus’ EU Council presidency will be measured by the trust it builds between institutions and the public.

Address to the European Parliament

Speaking to MEPs at the start of Cyprus’s presidency, Raouna said the European Union was facing a defining moment. She said it was becoming clear the EU is “a union of values and a union of the rule of law,” describing this as “the European way.”

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Raouna told the committee that its work sits “where security meets freedom and politics meets citizens’ rights,” and said EU action must remain grounded in democracy and accountability.

Warnings on external threats

Raouna said European democracies are under growing pressure from “foreign interference, cyberattacks and hybrid operations” aimed at undermining trust in institutions, media freedom and social cohesion. She said the EU must stand firm in its values.

Holocaust remembrance and rule of law

Referring to her participation earlier in the day in a special session for international Holocaust remembrance day, Raouna said it was “a heartbreaking reminder of what happens when democracy and the rule of law fail.”

She also said the rule of law is essential for the functioning of the single market, adding that without respect for the rule of law, common values, fair competition and legal certainty, the single market cannot function.

Cyprus as a divided member state

Raouna highlighted the symbolic weight of Cyprus holding the presidency as the EU’s only divided member state.

What steps do you think can most effectively build trust between EU institutions and the public?