The latest developments in the region, the priorities of the Mediterranean member states of the EU in the new institutional cycle, but also issues such as migration, and on the new Multiannual Financial Framework, will be discussed on Thursday during the Meeting of Ministers and Deputy Ministers of European Affairs of the MED9, Cyprus’ Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna said on Wednesday.

According to a press release, in her statements to journalists on the sidelines of a tour of old Nicosia, in the context of the MED9 European Affairs Ministerial Summit, Raouna noted that the Republic of Cyprus is hosting on Wednesday and Thursday in Nicosia the MED9 Summit, of Ministers and Deputy Ministers of European Affairs of the nine Mediterranean member states of the EU (Cyprus, France, Greece, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Malta, Portugal and Slovenia).

The meeting, she added, takes place within the framework of the MED9 Presidency held by Cyprus for 2024, and has a preparatory character in view of the MED9 Presidents and Prime Ministers Summit on October 11 in Paphos.

“Our presence in Nicosia, here in the old city is of symbolic importance” she said, noting that they would walk along the green line - drawn in the early 1960s after intercommunal trouble, dividing Nicosia - and send a message, “from the last divided capital of the European Union, the last occupied capital of Europe”.

During tomorrow's meeting which will take place in the morning at the new Nicosia City Hall, she said, ‘we will discuss with my counterparts the priorities of the Mediterranean EU member states in the new institutional cycle. We will discuss issues such as immigration, issues related to the new Multiannual Financial Framework, issues such as the EU’s green and digital transition”.

According to Raouna, the latest developments in the region will also be discussed, both on Thursday during the Ministerial Summit and next week at the level of heads of state.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.