Hoogtepunten van het Cypriotisch Voorzitterschap van de EU (en)

The Cyprus Presidency was committed from day one to do its utmost to work Towards a Better Europe, more relevant to its citizens and to the world and to promote European integration. In this framework, four priorities were set: (i) Europe, more efficient and sustainable, (ii) Europe, with a better performing and growth-based economy, (iii) Europe, more relevant to its citizens, with solidarity and social cohesion, and (iv) Europe in the world, closer to its neighbours.

Taking into account the socioeconomic situation in the EU, the Presidency allowed for flexibility in adjusting its priorities according to current political and economic developments. The primary goal has been to continue and reinforce the common effort towards exiting from the economic and social crisis and returning on the track of steady and dynamic growth and job creation for the EU, while at the same time ensuring social cohesion, in harmony with fiscal consolidation and stability. The driving force for all actions was the underlying values and principles of the EU, with particular emphasis on solidarity.

The highlights of the Presidency include the historic agreement with the European Parliament on the Unitary Patent Package and the agreement in Council on the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM). Significant efforts were made by the Presidency in moving forward the negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework, which resulted in bringing the file to a level of maturity that laid the ground for the President of the European Council and the Heads of State or Government to come close to an agreement. In addition, significant progress was achieved in relation to the Common European Asylum System, with an agreement being within reach. Acting as an honest broker, one of the main highlights of the Presidency, was the settlement on the interinstitutional crisis that occurred in June 2012, between the European Parliament and the Council, in relation to the issue of Schengen Governance. In deepening the Internal Market, the Cyprus Presidency achieved substantial progress on all remaining actions of the Single Market Act I, completing five of them. The timely agreement reached on the EU Budget 2013, as well as the Amending Budgets for 2012, means that the Union can implement many programmes and actions to the benefit of its citizens from the beginning of next year. The launching of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between EU and Japan, as well as the completion of negotiations for the EU- Singapore Free Trade Agreement will give further momentum to growth and job creation in the EU.

A synopsis of the main results of the Cyprus Presidency can be found here.