The General Affairs Council of the EU adopted on Tuesday the Joint Working Programme of the Trio Presidency of the Council of the EU, which consists of Poland, Denmark and Cyprus for the next 18 months.

According to the Deputy Ministry's Secretariat, at her intervention at the Summit, Deputy Minister for European Affairs of Cyprus Marilena Raouna pointed out that the EU Strategic Agenda for the next five years is a compass for the three Presidencies.

Raouna said that through their Joint Programme, Cyprus, Poland and Denmark will work for a stronger and safer Europe adding that the three countries will hold the Presidency of the Council of the EU at a time of multiple challenges and geopolitical pressure on the EU.

The Trio's priorities are among others the strengthening of the EU's role as a global actor, the management of common challenges, the strengthening of the EU's defense capabilities, the comprehensive response to migration and the protection of the EU's external borders, the strengthening of the competitiveness of the economy, the creation of quality jobs, cooperation in the health sector and improving accessibility to medicines, the promotion of the Green and Digital Policy, the EU's energy independence, the reduction of the EU's external dependencies and maritime security.

The Deputy Minister for European Affairs stressed in her intervention at the General Affairs Council that one of the main objectives of the joint programme is the development of multi-level relations with international partners, including countries of the Eastern and Southern Neighbourhood and international organisations, such as the Gulf Cooperation Council.