Cyprus Foreign Ministry to intensify efforts in view of 2012 EU presidency.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Marcos Kyprianou said his Ministry would be intensifying its actions in 2010 to prepare for the EU presidency in 2012.

Presenting his Ministry's budget before the House of Representatives' Committee of Finance, Kyprianou said the most important activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have to do with ''the promotion of our positions for the solution of the Cyprus problem.''

According to the budget, proposed expenditure is 83.7 million EUR, of which 78.4 million is regular expenditure, compared to 75 million in 2009, and 5.3 million development expenditure, which was around the same amount in 2009.

Speaking before the Committee, Kyprianou requested the simplification of procedures in view of Cyprus holding the EU rotating presidency in 2012, both for the employment of staff for that period and for bypassing tender procedures to enhance the infrastructure.

''Cyprus is steadily proceeding with preparations, with the creation of a presidency office, which will coordinate all ministries in preparations. In this way, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be free and will be able to focus on the political part of the 2012 presidency,'' he said.

Kyprianou noted that in 2010 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would be intensifying actions concerning preparations for the 2012 presidency, which Cyprus will share with Poland and Denmark from July 1 to December 31, 2012.

Replying to questions, Kyprianou said the Ministry continued its effort to follow a multilevel and substantive foreign policy with clear positions and initiatives, thus responding to the challenges of globalisation.

In this context, he said, efforts were being made to strengthen ties with UN Security Council permanent members, EU member states, the members of the Organisation for the Islamic Conference, the Arab world, the Middle East, the Non Aligned Movement and Russia.

He added that the Ministry is expected to focus on Turkey's EU accession course and issues concerning the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, the Cyprus problem and developments in the Council of Europe.

Kyprianou said special emphasis would be given to promoting cultural and financial diplomacy, despite Cyprus' small economy, adding that globalisation, the development of new technologies, and the flow of information and data make cultural and financial diplomacy a modern and flexible method to exercise policy, promote positions and create ties and common interests.

He also made special reference to an antiquities exhibition and other events in the USA in 2010, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Republic of Cyprus.

Kyprianou noted that the Cyprus problem would be indirectly promoted, mainly the aspect of the destruction of the island's cultural heritage, while tourism and Cyprus' strategic importance for the USA will be highlighted.

Kyprianou said the Ministry would continue to promote Cyprus as an efficient and active member of the EU, as well as a country with a role to play in the broader Middle East, the Arab world and the Non Aligned Movement, which means ''setting up new diplomatic missions, wherever we can, and our presence, visits to and meetings in these countries.''

He also explained the reasons that led to the establishment of an Embassy in Cuba, adding that in 2009 Embassies were also set up in Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Brazil. An Embassy Office has also been opened in Kiev. Furthermore, the Embassy Offices in Bulgaria and Lebanon were upgraded to Embassies, and a representation was opened with Malta in Ramallah. The opening of an Embassy in Indonesia is in the pipeline.

The opening of those missions brings their number to 53, of which five are high commissions, 38 embassies, four permanent representations, four general consulates, one embassy office and one representation.

In the context of promoting its aims, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will proceed with the establishment of new diplomatic mission sin 2010.

Referring to enlightenment, Kyprianou said it was one of the Ministry's priorities and that a strategy had been drafted which provides for specific infrastructure to upgrade the enlightenment system, as well as an action plan to implement the aims.

Kyprianou also referred to the Lisbon Strategy, which provides for the creation of a European External Action Service, noting that all ministries of foreign affairs will be sending officers to staff the service.

He said new positions had to be provided for and that efforts would be made to cover the cost fully through the EU budget.

Replying to questions concerning the recent unveiling of a monument in the Turkish occupied areas of the Republic for the British soldiers who died during the EOKA struggle from 1955 to 1959, to rid Cyprus of British colonial rule, Kyprianou said the presence of British High Commissioner to Cyprus Peter Millet ''cannot be accepted by our side and causes disappointment and concern regarding the intentions, the time chosen and the site.''

Kyprianou said he would be raising the issue with British Foreign Secretary, noting that the UK should be more objective, ''especially during this period when Britain aspires to play a role in the Cyprus problem.''

''It is not only a lack of respect towards the sensitivities regarding the liberation struggle of the people of Cyprus but it is also the site where a monument was set up without the licenses of the legal government of the Republic of Cyprus,'' he added.

Cyprus, which joined the EU 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

The leaders of the two communities have been engaged in UN-led direct negotiations since September 2008, with an aim to reunite the island.

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