Denmark passed the torch on Sunday to the Republic of Cyprus which assumes its first Presidency of the Council of the EU, in an undeniably difficult time for Europe.

In doing so, Cyprus will emphasize the need for adherence to the fundamental values of the EU, ensuring solidarity, social cohesion and a better quality of life for EU citizens, Famagusta-gazette.com reported.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in May 2004, not only assumes the presidency for the first time in its history, it is also a small sized country with a small sized public service, facing its own economic problems, being divided since the Turkish invasion in 1974 and having to manage the inherited agenda from the trio presidency.

Being the last country of the trio presidency (Poland - Denmark - Cyprus) and the only one of the three which is member of the Eurozone, Cyprus has to cope with the increased duties of the second half of 2012 and will probably be called upon to manage new crises in the Eurozone and in the international arena.

On Monday, July 2, the Deputy Minister to the President for European Affairs, Ambassador Andreas Mavroyiannis, will present the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency, at a press conference in Brussels with the Danish Permanent Representative to the EU, Ambassador Jeppe Tranholm - Mikkelsen.

The press conference will mark the start of the Cyprus Presidency and the Cypriot Deputy Minister will present the overall vision of the Presidency and its priorities. At the press conference Ambassador Tranholm - Mikkelsen will present an overview of the achievements of the Danish Presidency.

On July 4, President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias will make the official presentation of the semester program before the European Parliament plenary in Strasbourg. He will also address the EP at the end of the presidency to report on the work achieved.

In Cyprus, the official opening ceremony of the Cyprus EU Presidency will take place at the ancient amphitheatre at Kourion, on the southern coast overlooking the beach. Present at the ceremony will be President Christofias, President of the European Council Herman van Rompuy, President of the Commission Manuel Barroso and the Commissioners and many other officials.

Cyprus' vision to "Work towards a Better Europe" will be promoted via two dimensions, solidarity and social cohesion, which has gained momentum in light of the EU's response to the crisis and effectiveness and growth, which will contribute to a more competitive and efficient Europe, via even more targeted policies.