Cyprus aspires to another successful Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Government Spokesman, Konstantinos Letymbiotis said here today.

Letymbiotis welcomed the fact that the plenary of the Cyprus Parliament unanimously passed a law last Thursday providing for the appointment and powers of the Deputy Minister to the President for European Affairs, ahead of the country’s assumption of presidency of the EU council in 2026.

Speaking during the regular media briefing, the Spokesman noted that the Deputy Minister to the President for European Affairs will undertake preparations for the Cypriot EU Presidency. Taking into account the experience gained during the first Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2012, the overall supervision, preparation and processing of the Cyprus Presidency will be the exclusive responsibility of the Deputy Minister who will have the overall political supervision, and also the political representation in bodies and institutions, in cooperation and consultation with the competent Ministers, he added.

"We aim at another successful Cypriot Presidency, the six months of which will be a milestone not only for our country but also for the entire EU," he said, pointing out that the establishment of an ambitious, concrete and realistic plan of priorities "will contribute to a successful Presidency that will further strengthen the vision of European integration based on the principles and values of our European family".

Asked whether the President of the Republic has decided on the person who will be appointed to the post of Deputy Minister for European Affairs, the Spokesman said that once the decision will be taken by the President of the Republic, there will be relevant announcement as soon as possible.