During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg this week, ALDE highlighted the priorities and challenges that lie ahead for the incoming Cypriot presidency of the EU over the  next six months.   Cyprus will have to take forward the budget talks and the EU's roadmap 2050 and will oversee EU talks on bank supervision and sovereign debt .  The worrying situation in Syria also requires strength and leadership from the EU in order to help bring about peace and freedom.

Sir Graham Watson (Liberal Democrat, UK) and President of the European Liberal Democrat (ELDR) Party spoke during the debate on behalf of ALDE and said that "Cyprus cannot lead by size or strength, so they must lead by example".  He continued "Lead by example on economic growth, lead by example in Europe's fight against crime.  Cyprus will take forward the budget talks and the EU's roadmap for 2050.  Marry them together by investing in renewable energy EU-wide and cutting our dependence on Russian gas.  They will oversee EU talks on bank supervision and sovereign debt - they must use the ECB and EIB to nurse our weaker nations back to solvency".

Cyprus took on the Presidency of the European Union on July 1.