President to brief European Council on latest Cyprus developments

President Nikos Christodoulides will brief European leaders on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue during the European Council in Brussels on 17 October.

According to a written statement by Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis, the President will also take part in the European People's Party (EPP), during which he will brief the EPP members on the latest in the Cyprus issue.

He will also attend an extended meeting where the leaders of 10 member states will discuss Immigration. The meeting, which will take place at the Italian Permanent Representation to the European Council, will be attended by President Christodoulides, the Prime Ministers of Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, Greece, Poland, the Czech Republic, Malta, Hungary, the Federal Chancellor of Austria and the President of the European Commission.

The aim of the meeting will be to coordinate and promote a common position on migration, and especially regarding the external dimension, exploring innovative solutions that could be considered, strengthening partnerships with countries of transit and origin, as well as creating conditions of decent and of voluntary returns of Syrians in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in light of the spread of the crisis in Lebanon.

After the meeting, President Christodoulides will participate in the deliberations of the European Council where he will brief the European leaders on the outcome of the meeting he held on Tuesday with the Secretary General of the United Nations and the Turkish Cypriot leader, as well as on the upcoming extended meeting to be convened by the Secretary General, in the context of examining the prospects for resuming negotiations. The Council will also discuss the developments in the Middle East.

President Christodoulides is also expected to brief the EU leaders on the outcome of the MED9 Summit that was hosted by Cyprus on October 11, and in particular on the contribution of the King of Jordan to the Summit.

"Within this context, the President of the Republic will highlight once again the constructive role that Jordan and Egypt play in the region and will convey a message of support to Lebanon, at a time when everyone's efforts are focused on avoiding further escalation of the tension" the Spokesman says.

On the sidelines of the Council, the President of the Republic will hold private meetings with his European counterparts.

The Council will also discuss Migration, the situation in Ukraine and Competitiveness, while foreign relations will be discussed during a working dinner.