“The Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union: Challenges and Opportunities” was the issue that the conference organized by the London School of Economics and Political Science and Neapolis University in Cyprus on 6 and 7 September in Nicosia. The opening ceremony was held Thursday 06th of September 2012 and the delegates were welcomed by Head of the European Institute LSE Professor Kevin Featherstone and Dean of Neapolis Univerisity Professor Elias Ntinenis. Among the themes discussed was the management of the euro crisis, the negotiations on the EU budget, issues related to the Union and the Eastern Mediterranean and the future of the European Union. The speakers were former President of the Republic George Vassiliou, Finance Minister Vassos Shiarly, the State Minister George Iacovou, the Deputy Minister on issues of Cyprus Presidency Andreas Mavroyiannis and distinguished academics of both Universities and other academic institutions from European countries. The speakers pointed out that the European Union success is crucial for the prosperity and peace of the peoples. It is stressed, be willing to rethink the foundations of the Union, to have a sustainable future. They added that a risk of overloading the limited budget for cohesion, and that must be backtracking on the duration of the multiannual financial framework. Concluding noted that to dispel uncertainties need to regain confidence with a more decisive leadership.
