The EU’s informal Foreign Affairs Council, made up of Trade Ministers, took place on Tuesday in Brussels. Cyprus was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry, Marios Panayides.
The discussions focused on the preparations for the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization to be held in Abu Dhabi between 26 and 29 February 2024, the Ministry said in a press release.
In his intervention, Panayides emphasised the importance of achieving tangible results and welcomed the efforts of the European Commission to this direction.
In the discussion on Open Strategic Autonomy that followed, Panayides acknowledged the challenges the EU has to face, particularly with regard to the dual transition. He also commented on the important role of trade policy and international partnerships in strengthening the EU’s economic security.
During a working lunch, the ’27’ had the opportunity to be informed and exchange views regarding the current state of EU bilateral
trade relations with third countries as well as the progress achieved on a number of legislative proposals, the press release concludes.
Source: Cyprus News Agency