Mr. Mavroyiannis presented the core message, the general objectives and the main priorities of the Cyprus Presidency. He mentioned that the Presidency will work Towards a Better Europe, aiming at the promotion of social cohesion and growth through efficient policies, on the basis of the principle of solidarity.

The Deputy Minister also added that the Presidency will work for a European Union which will be more relevant to its citizens and to the world, promoting the need for a better quality of life and more employment opportunities, especially for the younger generations.
The Deputy Minister mentioned that the Cyprus Presidency is called upon to deal with key issues of the EU agenda, which were the basis for the formulation of the following four main priorities:
 

1. Europe, more efficient and sustainable
2. Europe, with a better performing and growth-based economy
3. Europe, more relevant to its citizens, with solidarity and social cohesion
4. Europe in the world, closer to its neighbours
    

Mr. Mavroyiannis emphasized the importance of each priority, underlining that the most important issue that the Cyprus Presidency will deal with will be the negotiations of the Multiannual Financial Framework aiming to the completion of the negotiations by the end of this year.
Subsequently, the Head of the Logistics Unit of the Cyprus EU Presidency Secretariat, Mr. Yiannis Nicolaides, presented the logistics that will take place before and during each meeting held in Cyprus, especially the Informal Ministerial Meetings.In addition, it was stated that during the 2nd Semester of 2012, 15 Informal Ministerial Meetings and a Conference at ministerial levelwill take place in Cyprus, commencing with the Informal Meeting of Ministers of Environment on the 7th – 8thof July. All the Informal Ministerial Meetings will take place at the Filoxenia Conference Center, except the Informal Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs (Gymnich) in early September.

The first important event in Cyprus on the occasion of the Presidency will be the visit of the College of Commissioners, which will take place on the July 5-6, while the opening ceremony of the Presidency will take place on the July 5 at Curium theatre in the presence of several European officials, inter alia, the President of the Europe an Council, Mr. Van Rompuy, the President of the European Commission,Mr. Barroso and the College of Commissioners.

Source: The temporary website for the preparation of the Cyprus Presidency

_{(Note: The temporary website for the preparation of the Cyprus Presidency will cease its functioning the day the Official Website of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU is launched, just a few weeks before the Republic of Cyprus takes over the Presidency on July 1, 2012.})

Further information: Official website of the Cyprus Presidency as launched in June 2012: http://www.cy2012.eu