Issues concerning the rule of law, the European Democracy Shield and the simplification agenda for advancing European competitiveness were discussed on Tuesday in Nicosia between Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna and European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath.
McGrath referred to an “excellent cooperation” in statements after the meeting at the Secretariat of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026, congratulating the Cyprus Presidency on “a very productive first month” and noting he looks forward to working with Nicosia and advancing all those issues in the interest of European citizens and businesses.
Welcoming McGrath, Raouna said in her statements that the meeting was a continuation of their ongoing discussions and “the excellent cooperation we have with Commissioner McGrath on a number of key priority files for the Cyprus presidency.” These include, she said, the rule of law, adding that “we had already at the First General Affairs Council the first rule of law discussion.” This will continue in May, she added.
According to Raouna they also discussed the European Democracy Shield, which she noted, was also discussed at the First General Affairs Council and that this will continue at a joint breakfast on the Centre for Democratic Resilience in February. They also exchanged views “on our joint priority, the simplification agenda for advancing European competitiveness, and in particular a number of omnibus proposals.”
The Commissioner, noting it was “a pleasure” to be back in Nicosia for the second time in three weeks, and having the opportunity to attend the informal COMPET Council to discuss consumer policy issues. “We don’t get a huge number of opportunities at council level to discuss consumer matters,” he said.
He noted that the Commission has “very recently” brought forward the consumer agenda to 2030. “And that sets out our overall plan for the coming years in the area of consumer policy,” he said, adding that the aim was breaking down barriers within the single market and ensuring digital fairness. “And we are working on a new piece of legislation in that area,” he said.
McGrath also said that consumer agenda is also about sustainable consumption and stepping up enforcement “as we address both the opportunities, but also the challenges posed by e-commerce and the dramatic growth in small parcels that are coming into the European Union, which sometimes, unfortunately, don’t meet our very high product safety standards, and that raises significant concerns.”
He also said he was “delighted” to have a conversation with Raouna about the 28th Regime as well, “which I look forward to bringing to college in March.” “And we will be looking to advance it as far as we possibly can in the coming months during your Presidency,” he added, noting that there is “a lot of interest and no little expectation around that file,” which he said, “will play an important part, I believe, in improving the competitiveness and the innovation environment within the European Union.”
He also said the Commission was “delighted” to now have the European Democracy Shield published. “Our focus now is on setting up the new Centre for Democratic Resilience,” he added. McGrath noted that the Centre’s “effective launch” at the breakfast before the General Affairs Council of February 24, “will be an excellent opportunity, again, just to involve all the member states and make sure we work together to protect the integrity of our precious democracy, because the threats that we face, they don’t recognise any borders.” “We have to work together on these areas,” he said.
The Commissioner also welcomed “the commitment of the Cyprus Presidency to rule of law and to making sure that it is very prominent on the agenda, at the General Affairs Council, but also with the Justice and Home Affairs Council.”
He thanked Raouna for all of the work that the Cyprus Presidency was doing “on a whole range of legislative files.” “We’re looking forward to getting the anti-corruption directive formally adopted following the political agreement late last year. And I know on the various Omnibus packages, you’re dedicating very substantial resources to agreeing Council positions, and where there is already a Council position, to getting into the inter-institutional negotiations,” he added.
McGrath said there was “excellent cooperation so far,” congratulating the Cyprus EU Presidency “on a very productive first month.” “Only five to go, but really looking forward to working with you and advancing all of these issues in the interest of European citizens and in the interest of European businesses as well,” he said.
(Source: CNA)
