As Cyprus prepares to hand over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union to Ireland, the island nation's Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, has vowed to maintain the momentum on EU enlargement. In an interview with Euronews, Raouna described the opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova during Cyprus's six-month term as a "milestone" and pledged to keep working "very hard" to advance the remaining phases of talks.
Ambitious Until the Last Day
Raouna emphasized that the Cypriot presidency will remain "ambitious until the very last day" in pursuit of "more positive developments." This commitment comes as the EU continues to navigate complex geopolitical dynamics, including ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the broader Eastern European region. The accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova are seen as a strategic priority for the bloc, particularly in light of Russia's war in Ukraine and the need to stabilize the EU's eastern flank.
Cyprus has positioned itself as a neutral facilitator in these negotiations. "We are acting as an honest broker," Raouna said, referring to the EU's long-term budget discussions. She noted that Cyprus proposed a "moderate 2% cut" as a compromise, aiming to balance the interests of net contributors and net recipients within the Union.
Geopolitical Context and EU Unity
The push for enlargement comes at a time when the EU is grappling with internal divisions on several fronts. For instance, EU ministers remain split over the Biotech Act's drug monopoly extension, while the bloc has failed to unite on sanctions for Israeli Minister Ben Gvir amid growing pressure. These disagreements highlight the challenges of maintaining cohesion as the Union expands its membership.
Raouna's remarks also underscore the importance of Cyprus's role in the EU, despite its small size. The country has leveraged its presidency to advance key priorities, including the opening of accession talks with Ukraine and Moldova. This aligns with broader European efforts to counter Russian influence and support democratic reforms in Eastern Europe.
Looking Ahead: Ireland Takes the Helm
Cyprus will hand over the rotating presidency to Ireland in the coming weeks. The Irish presidency is expected to continue focusing on enlargement, as well as other pressing issues such as the EU's long-term budget and the implementation of the Biotech Act. The transition comes at a critical juncture, with the EU facing multiple crises, from the war in Ukraine to energy security and climate change.
Raouna expressed confidence that the momentum built during Cyprus's term will carry forward. "We have laid the groundwork for a more integrated and resilient Europe," she said. The Cypriot presidency has also highlighted the country's environmental achievements, such as having some of Europe's cleanest swimming waters, which underscores its commitment to sustainability.
As the EU looks to the future, the success of enlargement will depend on the ability of member states to overcome their differences and work toward common goals. Cyprus's tenure has demonstrated that even smaller nations can play a pivotal role in shaping the bloc's trajectory.
