Cyprus ends EU presidency with praise, emotion and eye on the future

As Cyprus formally closed its six-month presidency of the EU Council on Tuesday, emotion was high at the Filoxenia Conference Centre – the building that for six months served as the beating heart of the presidency – with officials, civil servants and volunteers reflecting on what has widely been described as one of the bloc’s most effective recent presidencies.

European Affairs Deputy Minister Marilena Raouna, who led preparations for the presidency over the past two and a half years...