“In
today’s European Council we decided to propose Mr Jean Claude
Juncker, former Prime Minister of Luxembourg, to the European
Parliament for the post of President of the European Commission. I
wish to express publicly the satisfaction of Cyprus for this
decision.”
President
Anastasiades
added that today’s multifaceted agenda of the European Council
included also the latest developments in Ukraine. Cyprus, he said,
follows closely these developments and will defend its interests in
the best possible way.
The
President
then pointed out that “with regard to issues concerning energy and
more specifically in relation to the effort to terminate the
dependence of the European Union on certain sources and energy routes
I stressed that Cyprus, as a member state with recent important
discoveries of hydrocarbons within its Exclusive Economic Zone, can
contribute decisively to the effort of the EU for the completion of
the internal energy market and the development of the necessary
connections, in order to end any energy isolation.
At the same time, Cyprus
has a substantial role to play with regard to the reinforcement of
the energy security in the EU.
We
believe that the Eastern Mediterranean region can become an energy
production and supply hub of natural gas and that Cyprus as a future
producer of natural gas is an integral part of this planning. I
welcome the fact that our partners acknowledge our country as an
alternative energy route for Europe. Within this framework we shall
be in continuous contact with the European Commission for the
coordination of our actions.”
The President added that
the geostrategic position of Cyprus as well as its excellent
relations with the Arab world and Israel, can contribute to the
benefit of this planning.
He pointed out that
Cyprus utilizing its strategic place is ready to contribute to the
common goal for further enhancement of the EU foreign policy.
-------------------
