Speaking ahead of talks with the Cypriot Government on the priorities of the upcoming rotating Presidency of the EU Council, Joseph Daul MEP has outlined the crucial necessity of a more integrated Europe, politically, fiscally and socially.

"Cyprus is taking over its first EU Presidency at a crucial time for all of us, and only two weeks after key elections in Greece", outlined the Chairman of the EPP Group.

"Our citizens, in these difficult times, expect their national and European leaders to show solidarity, but also responsibility, in their decisions. They also rightly demand that what has been decided by the 27 should be swiftly implemented. The Cypriot Presidency will work under the 'Better Europe' motto towards a more efficient Europe. We count on the success of the Cypriot Presidency, which really should have one main priority: reinforcing the political integration of Europe", said the Chairman of the most influential European parliamentary Group.

Today, the EPP Group Presidency pays an official visit to Cyprus, which will take over the EU Presidency from 1 July 2012. The EPP Group Presidency will meet with Demetris Christofias, President of the Republic of Cyprus, Yiannakis Omirou, President of the House of Representatives, Erato Kozakou-Markoulis, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sofoclis Aletraris, Minister of Agriculture, Eleni Mavrou, Minister of the Interior, and Andreas D Mavroyiannis, Deputy Minister for European Affairs. The EPP Group MEPs will hold an exchange of views with the Members of the Standing Committee on Foreign and European Affairs. The EPP Group Presidency will be welcomed by Nicos Anastasiadis, Chairman of the Democratic Rally (DISY, an EPP sister party).

The EPP Group Chairman, Joseph Daul will also participate in the meetings of the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament with Cypriot officials on 31 May and 1 June 2012.

"It is with great pleasure that I welcome the Chairman and the EPP Group Presidency to Cyprus to discuss issues related to the upcoming EU Presidency of my country with Government officials", said Ioannis Kasoulides MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group.

For further information:

Joseph DAUL MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group, Tel: +32-2-2847525

Antoine Ripoll, Chairman's Spokesman, Tel: +32-475-856290

Delia Vlase, Chairman's Deputy Spokeswoman, Tel: +32-476-331038

Notes to Editors:

The EPP Group is by far the largest political group in the European Parliament with 271 Members and 3 Croatian Observer Members.