The Cabinet decided during its latest session to extend the operations of the Deputy Ministry for European Affairs until December 31, 2026. The decision has been forwarded to Parliament, accompanied by a letter requesting an urgent review of the matter due to pressing time constraints. The issue was reportedly discussed during a meeting of party leaders and representatives, as it must be fast-tracked for approval before the current operational period of the Deputy Ministry expires on July 31.
Parliament is expected to convene for its final session on July 15, as part of the established anniversary session condemning the coup and the Turkish invasion, before closing for summer recess. The Plenary is expected to meet once or twice more before that date, making it necessary to advance this specific issue as a matter of urgency.
The President of the Republic had previously announced during the closing ceremony of the Cypriot EU Presidency that the government decided to maintain both the Deputy Ministry for European Affairs and the European units within individual ministries. This decision aims to utilize the technical expertise acquired during the term. The President highlighted that the European Union and Cyprus’s role within it are not merely components of foreign policy but heavily influence domestic policy, as decisions taken in Europe directly impact the daily lives of Cypriot citizens. He also praised the contributions of Deputy Minister Marilena Raouna.
Preserving Strategic Expertise and Continuity
The explanatory memorandum of the bill submitted to Parliament highlights the necessity of continuing the progress recorded regarding the Multiannual Financial Framework, which must be finalized during the upcoming Irish Presidency. The contacts and experience acquired by Cyprus should not be lost, and ongoing participation in these processes is deemed beneficial both for Cyprus and the broader European Union.
Reports indicate that the government intends to establish the Deputy Ministry for European Affairs on a permanent basis. Doing so, however, requires a new legislative framework.
The Deputy Minister for European Affairs also addressed the extension of the Secretariat for European Affairs—initially established for the Cypriot Presidency—noting that the structure will not terminate its operations at the end of July as originally planned. Speaking in a retrospective interview with the European news website Euractiv, Raouna stated that the Secretariat will continue to function as a coordination structure for European affairs in Cyprus.
Retrospective on the EU Presidency and Reshuffle Clarifications
In her interview, the Deputy Minister rejected the view that smaller EU member states are more vulnerable to external pressures. When asked if Cyprus is treated as easily influenced due to its size, she stated that the country’s diplomacy has evolved to become highly resilient under pressure.
Reflecting on the historical and geopolitical context of Cyprus, she underlined that recent European circumstances helped foster a more direct understanding within the EU regarding what occupation on European territory means. She linked the Cypriot experience to the country’s active stance on Ukraine, noting that Cyprus recognizes the devastating consequences of such situations.
Reviewing the Cypriot Presidency, Raouna stressed that a nation’s size does not dictate the scale of its contribution to the European Union. She described the widespread mobilization of the state apparatus during the term and the progress achieved on significant European legislation, including enlargement and policies regarding Ukraine and Moldova. Regarding the institution of the rotating EU Presidency, she noted that it enhances the European perspective of member states by requiring them to act as the voice of all 27 member states and to understand the positions of European partners. She concluded with a message to upcoming member states, advising them not to let their size influence their approach.
This development also puts an end to recent speculation regarding an imminent cabinet reshuffle and rumors concerning the relocation of Marilena Raouna to a different post. With the operational extension of the Deputy Ministry for European Affairs until December, Raouna remains in her position to complete her mission, removing her from the scope of any potential upcoming reshuffle.
