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> CYPRUS EU PRESIDENCY

The Republic of Cyprus will take over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on the 1^st of July, succeeding Denmark. Ireland will take over the Presidency in January 2013.

> MEETING WITH THE MINISTER

During the upcoming EU Presidency by Cyprus, many important dossiers will be decided; some of them will influence the lives of persons with disabilities. The disability movement wants to make sure disability issues will be addressed. EDF director, Mrs Carlotta Besozzi, together with the president of the Cyprus Confederation of Organisations of the Disabled, Mr Christakis Nikolaides, met the Minister for Labour and Social Insurance of Cyprus, Ms Sotiroula Charalambous, on Thursday 19 April.

Ms Charalambous expressed her strong interest for disability issues: she reminded that her Ministry has created the Department  for the Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, a department dealing with the rights of persons with disabilities. She also reminded that Cyprus has ratified the UN Convention in June 2011. Cyprus has also adopted a national regulation introducing a quota system for employment of persons with disabilities in 2009: ‘Appointment of persons with disabilities in the public sector.’ 

> OUR PRIORITIES

The discussion focused on important issues which the Republic of Cyprus will be called to deal with and advance during its upcoming six-month Presidency:

• negotiations on the structural funds, the definition of the Multi annual Financial Framework and public procurement, and in particular measures ensuring accessibility for persons with disabilities and the implementation of the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities

• discussions on the anti-discrimination directive in the social policy working group. The Minister expressed concern about the slow progress of the directive because of the many outstanding issues but stated that the Cyprus Presidency will support any positive steps.

• discussions on two important legislative proposals that will directly affect persons with disabilities: the European Accessibility Act; Minister Charalambous highlighted the interest of the Cyprus Presidency on a proposal for EU legislation tackling access to goods and services for persons with disabilities, expected before the end of the year

• presentation of a proposal for a European mobility card for persons with disabilities. Ms Charalambous is interested in the initiative and she believes interested EU countries should focus on the access to transport and culture, provided that member states will find ways to overcome differences in disability definitions and assesment methods.

Carlotta Besozzi, EDF Director reminded: “A structural dialogue with organisations of persons with disabilities is fundamental to achieve these rights, and we are looking forward to continuing discussions throughout the Presidency term with the different services involved at national level and in Brussels in order to improve the lives of persons with disabilities. In this respect, we welcome the importance that the Presidency attached to social and civil dialogue as announced in the Preparation of the Presidency.”