The Presidency of the Council of the EU is an important test which Cyprus needs to pass with “high marks” Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said today. He added that in such an event, Nicosia will raise its prestige among EU member states, as well as internationally.

Stephanou was speaking here today, during a meeting at EU House, organized by the Press and Information Office of the Republic of Cyprus, in cooperation with the European Parliament Office in Cyprus, concerning the preparation of the Cyprus EU Presidency during the second semester of 2012.

Present during the meeting was also MEP Ioannis Kasoulides and the Director of the PIO Eleonora Gavrielides.

Stephanou, while addressing the meeting, refereed to the “double challenge” the EU Presidency poses for Cyprus. As he said, the Presidency will on the one hand “mature” the Cypriot society concerning the country’s participation in the EU, on the other hand, though, the country must prove that it is capable of conducting a successful Presidency, by setting attainable goals and adding value to the European integration project.