Cypriot Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry George Papastasiou participated in the EU Foreign Affairs Council in its trade configuration held in Brussels on Monday 24 November.
In his intervention during the deliberations, Papanastasiou expressed Cyprus’ support for the expansion of the EU’s network of trade agreements, while before the conclusion of the Council’s work, the minister presented the priorities of the Cypriot presidency in trade matters.
The Council meeting focused on key trade negotiations, including ongoing negotiations between the EU and third countries, trade relations between the EU and the United States and economic ties between the EU and China. The discussions highlighted the EU’s efforts to expand its trade partnerships while addressing global economic challenges.
According to a press release issued after the meeting, in addition to discussions on the ongoing trade negotiations with the EU, the ministers particularly focused on negotiations with India. European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič briefed ministers from the 27 member states on the European Commission’s continued efforts to reach a trade deal with significant economic value for the EU. In his intervention, Papanastasiou expressed Cyprus’ support for expanding the EU’s network of trade agreements, emphasizing the strategic importance of concluding negotiations with India.
The ministers also participated in an informal working lunch with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The discussion focused on areas of mutual interest and shared challenges, with particular reference to supply chains, economic security and the global trading system. In his speech, the Minister of Commerce welcomed the presence of the two American officials and underlined, among other things, the importance of cooperation with the United States within the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO), in anticipation of the ministerial conference to be held during the Cypriot presidency.
Furthermore, the ministers exchanged views on trade relations between the EU and China. In this context, the Commissioner presented the complexity of existing trade and economic relations as well as efforts to make them more balanced and mutually beneficial.
Before the conclusion of the Council’s work, the last under the Danish presidency, Papanastasiou presented to his counterparts the priorities of the Cypriot presidency in matters of trade, noting that the Cypriot presidency will focus on the promotion of trade agreements, the preparation of the WTO ministerial conference in Cameroon and the strengthening of transatlantic trade relations.
On the sidelines of the Council, the Minister of Energy also had a bilateral meeting with his French counterpart, Nicolas Forissier, to discuss issues of mutual interest ahead of Cyprus’ accession to the presidency of the Council of the EU.
(Source: CNA)
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