NICOSIA, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday that Cyprus aims to strengthen the European Union's (EU) strategic autonomy and deepen the bloc's engagement with neighboring regions during its upcoming rotating presidency of the Council of the EU.
Speaking at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia after meeting with visiting European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, Christodoulides said Cyprus will assume the presidency in one month, calling the task "a national mission" for a smaller member state, according to the Cyprus News Agency.
He said the presidency will prioritize efforts to enhance the EU's strategic capacity in areas such as economic competitiveness, defense and security, migration management, and budget planning.
Metsola said the Parliament is preparing for an intensive legislative period, noting that more than 250 legislative files remain open, including key proposals related to the EU's migration pact, long-term budget, climate policy, and digital regulation. ■