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Marilena Rauna: These will be the next steps in Euro-Turkish

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Μαριλενα Ραουν αυαεαεεαβασ ;α ευρωτουρκικ' /></p> <p> </source> </p> <p>Progress in Euro-Turkish, on the basis of defined sectarianism and through a gradual, proportional and reversible approach, is possible but also directly intertwined with progress in the Cyprus issue. This was stated by the Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Rauna, in an interview with “Filelefthero”.</p> <p>Mrs. Rauna notes that this parallel course will proceed by gradually referring recommendations to Ankara before the Committee of Permanent Representatives. (COREPER). Nicosia, as he explained, worked positively and now Turkey is expected to respond as well. It is obvious from what Mrs. Rauna mentioned the green light that the EU has given. in Turkey it can be turned off at any time! This will depend on Turkey's attitude and behavior.</p> <p><strong>– The paragraph in the Conclusions of the recent European Council on Euro-Turkish also refers to the Cyprus issue. Practically, how can these two issues be connected? – What do we expect from this development in relation to our national issue?</strong></p> <p>– The essential interconnection of the Euro-Turkish with the achievement of progress in the Cyprus issue was a goal that the President of the Republic had set from the first moment of assuming the  his duties. That is why we are particularly pleased to see this goal being implemented, as this interconnection is clearly evident both through the Conclusions and through the discussion held at the recent <strong>European Council</strong>but also the statements, for example, of the German Chancellor after the end of the European Council. As the Republic of Cyprus and as the European Union we have sent the positive message to the Turkish side that progress in Euro-Turkish, on the basis of defined sectarianism and through a gradual, proportional and reversible approach, is possible but also directly intertwined with progress in the Cypriot, basically always of the agreed framework as determined by the relevant UNSC resolutions. We consider that the timing is very important, taking into account the efforts being made by the Secretary General to restart the talks. </strong>At the beginning of May, we expect the visit of the personal envoy of the Secretary General of the United Nations to Cyprus, who will also have a meeting with the President of the Republic, in order to determine the next steps. It is a difficult road but we have the required methodicality, focus, patience and perseverance.</p> <p><strong>-We have indications of how the EU will move. in relation to the connection between Euro-Turkish and Cypriot?</strong></p> <p>– We are working with the European Commission in a step-by-step approach, so that in a gradual and proportionate way some of the recommendations recorded in last November's report will be referred to the level of the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Member States (COREPER), always based on existing context and religiosity. These recommendations concern the entire spectrum of Euro-Turkish relations, and of course also include Turkey's Cypriot obligations. This process will move in parallel with the efforts in the Cyprus issue, as I have already mentioned. We will agree which recommendations will be referred for discussion.</p> <p>– <strong>Can you give an example?</strong></p> <p>– Some of the high-level dialogues could resume on the basis of this gradual approach. It is noted that in case of negative developments, the green light we have given can be reversed. This is the concept of reversibility that is also recorded in the conclusions of the European Council. We are starting with a positive sign and we hope that the other side will respond as well.</p> <p><strong>– So the ball is in Turkey's court.</strong></p> <p>– Exactly.</p> <p><strong>– Immigration is a major issue. How much does the EU help?</strong></p> <p>– Migration is a multidimensional challenge and the effective treatment of the phenomenon has been a major concern of the EU in recent years. It is telling that the new Pact on Migration and Asylum took nearly a decade of painstaking negotiations to agree. Cyprus is a frontline country, with disproportionate migration flows. For the government of Nikos Christodoulidis, dealing with immigration is a priority and important and effective moves have been made to deal with the phenomenon, in a very short period of time. The crisis in the Middle East has led to a significant increase in migration flows and the support and solidarity of the EU is required. with other member states, relevant conclusions were also adopted. I must mention that we have worked together with the European Commission since the beginning. It is not an easy task. A holistic as well as strategic approach to neighboring countries is needed. The Union has responded to our request, some important steps have been taken and are being taken, but there is still a way to go. There is understanding and a sincere will to support Cyprus. Particularly important is the joint visit of President Christodoulidis with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Lebanon on May 2.</p> <p><strong>-Second Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus in the EU and you have taken on this great responsibility. It is also a big burden for any small country of the Union. At what stage of preparation are we as a country for the Presidency?</strong></p> <p> -This second presidency is an opportunity for our Cyprus, utilizing all the knowledge and experience we have acquired in these 20 years, and with the power of its even, albeit numerically limited, human resources, to prove that the value of a of a member state is not determined by its square kilometers, but by its role, its expertise and its ability to continuously demonstrate that it can be an effective, reliable, and useful partner.</p> <p><strong>As far as the preparations are concerned, they are proceeding at an intensive pace.</strong> The Presidency of the Council of the EU is such a big undertaking that the member states start preparations two to three years before the assumption of the Presidency, as she also recommends the Council Secretariat. <strong>The Secretariat of the Cyprus Presidency has been established, as provided for in the relevant legislation, and its staffing has begun, which will be a gradual process.</strong>We have completed the mapping of staffing needs both in Cyprus and in Brussels, while the first recording, in collaboration with the European Affairs Sections in all Ministries and Deputy Ministries, and of course the Permanent Representation in Brussels, of the inherited agenda has also been completed , i.e. the files we are expected to manage during our Presidency. The preparation of the program of the <strong>Trio of the Presidency</strong> is also at an advanced stage., together with Poland and Denmark, while we also start consultations to draw up our program and priorities of the Cyprus Presidency.</p> <p><strong>-Because you experienced the first Presidency from a different position then, how do the big countries deal with , the big players of the Union the small countries when they preside?</strong></p> <p>-As long as we prove that we take on the Presidency as an honest mediator, with the aim of ensuring a sound legislative work, and that with sincere cooperation we follow an inclusive approach with all Member States, we can also convince the “big players” that we exercise the Presidency effectively.  </p> <p>And since you referred to my own experience from the first Presidency, I can give you an example from that time. My responsibility as a national representative was in the Enlargement Working Group which handles, among other things, Euro-Turkish, and which we chaired. We had to manage the difficult negotiations  for the elaboration of the visa liberalization road map with Turkey. There was then a strong suspicion towards Cyprus as to whether it could manage this file, given that there were such strong national positions</strong>. However, there was also our suspicion that our own presidency was chosen so that Cyprus would be less demanding. And yet, we not only managed to manage it, but we also closed it, a technically as well as politically extremely difficult file. And we succeeded precisely because we convinced ourselves that we were honest mediators. We presented our positions honestly and negotiated them constructively and transparently. And we always put alternative proposals on the table. This is the key, I think, to always put proposals on the table and to convince that there is a real intention and willingness to find solutions.</p> <p><strong>-That is, Germany, France, which are shown to determine line in the EU, how do they work?</strong></p> <p>-The Treaties and the philosophy that governs the EU is the equality of its member states. Of course, being realistic, we recognize that there are bigger and stronger member states and, therefore, the perspective of how important a position is is also influenced by the size of the country. But what should always guide the decisions is the solidarity between the member states, the unity and the interest of the European Union especially if an issue touches national interest. <strong>The larger countries and the founding member states have much greater potential and from their strong presence within the institutions and the way they promote their interests. But this does not prevent the smaller member states from learning the rules of the game well and becoming serious actors in the EU. <strong>The Presidencies provide such opportunities.</strong></p> <p><strong>-What will the Cyprus Presidency of the EU highlight? Even if the priorities are not set, there is a consultation going on, we would obviously like to leave a mark?</strong></p> <p>-Consultations to set the priorities of the<strong> Presidency Trio</strong> are in advanced stage, while we also start the consultations to draw up our own program and priorities. We must mention that the priorities of each Presidency are part of the broader framework <strong>of  legislative program of the European Commission.</strong>At the same time, however, each member state chooses to leave its own mark and that is what we will do as well. Certainly, an important element of our identity as the Cyprus Presidency is, among other things, the fact that we are the most south-eastern end of the Union, the beacon of the EU in  important area of ​​the Eastern Mediterranean. <strong>We always stress that the Eastern Mediterranean is not only our neighborhood, but also the neighborhood of the EU, </strong>and how what happens in this area significantly affects  the European Union, on issues such as security and immigration. Recent developments with the Israel-Hamas war, and the impact it has on the EU, amply demonstrate this reality. What I can say, then, is that emphasis will be placed on the European Union's relations with the Southern Neighborhood, as well as with the Gulf countries.</p> <p>At the same time, the debate is ongoing in Brussels on the strategic agenda – which is expected to be adopted at the June European Council –  and the future of the European Union. In this context, the areas that appear as priorities for the Union – and which will concern the <strong>upcoming Presidencies</strong> – are issues such as the rule of law, immigration (internal and external dimension), green and digital transition, social Europe, competitiveness, as well as the role of the European Union as a <strong>geopolitical player</strong>.</strong> p> </p> <p><strong>-The developments in the region, the wars, impose a common defense policy of the Union. How feasible is this?</strong></p> <p>– The Russian invasion of Ukraine as well as the war in the Middle East region have once again demonstrated the need for strategic autonomy of the Union in areas such as defense and security, and not only. For the European Union to be able to have a role and a say in this difficult and fluid <strong>geopolitical scene</strong>, it should, among other things, strengthen its defense industry to be able to act autonomously where and when needed but also to be a more valuable ally to its natural partners. In this context, the European Commission presented, at the beginning of March, the first European defense industrial strategy, which sets a clear, medium-term and long-term vision for achieving defense industrial readiness in the European Union. <strong>At the same time, the EU's commitment to increase its overall defense readiness and capabilities to be able to respond to the new geopolitical facts was also made clear in the March European Council Conclusions. </strong>As a country we face it positively, precisely because we see it through the lens of the strategic autonomy of the Union which is our timeless position.</p> <p><strong>-Because the issue of repealing the veto was recently discussed, what is the position of Cyprus?</strong></p> <p>– Let me state that the starting point is not the debate on the removal of the veto. The starting point is the discussion about what I mentioned above, that is, how to develop the European Union into a more effective actor, both internally and externally. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has, for example, re-emerged the importance of political enlargement as a geopolitical catalyst for the Union, and consequently, the debate on how the European Union will be ready to accept new member states. This, therefore, is the broader context of discussion, and one aspect of this is, potentially, how we improve the Union's decision-making. <strong>We are ready to discuss without dogma, but at the same time we do not consider that taking decisions by qualified majority is a panacea for all the issues facing the Union. </strong>The first thing we need to answer is what is the problem we are trying to solve, how do we ensure the optimal functioning and interests of the Union, and the vital interests of the Member States, and then, by policy area, through impact assessment, the consequences. And we must not forget that what the European Union has proven in recent years is that, no matter how difficult an issue is that is discussed, unity is achieved, and solutions are found.</p> <p><strong>“I explain to the children the reason why I have to travel constantly”</strong></p> <p><strong>-How difficult is it for a mother – as well as a father of course – to have to travel so often and have these duties?</strong></p> <p>-I have to be honest and admit that it is extremely difficult. And that there are mothers who struggle too much or are forced to leave career opportunities behind. This is the reality for working mothers. <strong>I have two young children aged seven and four. I always try to explain to them that I work for Cyprus, this is my job, and that the reason I travel is in the context of this job.</strong></p> <p>I feel lucky because I have the undivided support of my husband, who despite the fact that he has a demanding job himself, shoulders a great burden of responsibility, encourages me and supports me completely, believing in me much more than I believe in myself me many times. I also have the practical and valuable support from my father, who with unlimited love and patience supports us on a daily basis by taking over a large part of the children's afternoon activities. Equally valuable is the support of our beloved Melinda who has been a member of our family for the last 8 years.</strong></p> <p>Let me use the opportunity given to me to say yes , women can do it all. They are capable of doing it all. <strong>But the reality is that in some phases of our lives we are forced to give something more, whether in the professional or family sector</strong>. Being expected in all phases of our lives to be able to give 100% of ourselves in all areas is both unrealistic and exhausting for women.</p> <p>What women need women are support and I am glad that <strong>the administration of Nikos Christodoulidis</strong> has prioritized the reconciliation of professional and family life with new policies that will make it easier for women to be implemented little by little.</p> <p>Ο <strong>I also wanted to say that I draw great courage and strength from  the many messages I receive from mothers my age, who tell me that it gives them hope to see a young mother in such a responsible role. They give me a boost and I thank them.</p> <p><strong>And I would like to close with a wish – may the day come when this question will be addressed to men in politics, not only to women.</strong></p> <p><noindex></p> <div class=Source: www.philenews.com

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