Cyprus President Christofias: We look forward to close cooperation with newly elected EU leaders

President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias has said he looks forward to close cooperation with the EU leadership elected on Thursday evening during an informal meeting of the EU leaders.

Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy was named the EU’s first president while British Catherine Ashton was appointed High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Pierre de Boissieu was elected Secretary-General of the Council Secretariat.

Speaking in Brussels after the meeting, President Christofias said, “I would like to express my congratulations and note that we look forward to a close and constructive cooperation.”

He said that with this decision, the EU is now ready to undertake action based on the Lisbon Treaty, which will come into effect on 1st December.

“We hope that with its implementation, the EU will become more effective and powerful so it can play a more active role in international relations and promote the principles and values on which it is based,” President Christofias remarked.

He also said “we will work so that this course will lead to a Europe with greater cohesion and a more social face, a Europe that will be closer to its citizens, will be more democratic, fairer and will be a factor of improvement, prosperity and stability.”

Concluding, the Cypriot President said “we expect that it will be able to decisively contribute in the resolution of problems and consolidation of peace and stability, with full respect and cooperation with the wider international community”.