Cyprus’ EU Presidency the second half of 2012, is a challenge for the executive and judicial power in the Cyprus Republic but also a great opportunity to promote the Cyprus problem, the need to give an end to the illegal Turkish occupation, to restore the human rights in the country and to reach a solution based on the international law and the EU principles, House President Yiannakis Omirou said on Friday.

Speaking to House officers during a meeting in order to discuss the preparations for the Presidency and the role of the Cyprus Parliament, Omirou said that EU Presidency is a historic moment for Cyprus, because our country will preside the big European family, noting also that the Parliament has a very significant role to play.

He said that Cyprus might be a small country, with little experience in EU institutions, however it has a lot of knowledge and understanding of how international institutions operate, through its long participation.

“The message we must put across is a message of a reliable, responsible and credible member state and a credible Parliament”, expressing the confidence that “with a proper preparation, taking the right initiatives and keeping the deadlines, we will achieve our goals”.