BRUSSELS - President Christofias is in Brussels heading a ministerial delegation for contacts with the College of Commissioners.

The delegation includes Foreign Minister Erato Kozako Markoullis, Acting Finance Minister and Communications and Works Minister Efthymios Flourentzou, Interior Minister Neoclis Sylikiotis, Commerce, Industry and Tourism Minister Praxoula Antoniadou, Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Sofoklis Aletraris and Labour, Social Insurance Minister Sotiroula Charalambous, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou and Deputy Minister for European Affairs Andreas Mavroyiannis

According to an official statement, President Christofias will begin his day with a meeting at the offices of the Permanent Representation of the Republic in Brussels. After that, he will meet the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso.
The President and the Ministerial delegation will then attend a joint meeting with the College of Commissioners. During his speech at the plenary of the Commissioners’ College, President Christofias will develop issues concerning economic policies, with emphasis on the structural changes that must take place in the allocation and distribution of produced wealth.

After lunch, where the President will outline the priorities of the Cypriot Presidency of the EU, the President and Barroso will give a joint press conference.

Later Wednesday, President Christofias will receive Androulla Vassiliou, Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth Commissioner and will also meet the staff of the Permanent Representation of the Republic in Brussels.

On the sidelines of the President’s meetings, the members of the cabinet who are accompanying the President, will hold bilateral meetings with the College’s commissioners.

President Christofias and his entourage return home on Thursday, 23 February.