New Delhi, Feb. 2 -- As the Republic of Cyprus prepares to take over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Evagoras Vryonides, the High Commissioner of Cyprus to India, has outlined a vision for an "autonomous" EU while signaling a significant deepening of ties with New Delhi.

Speaking on the strategic priorities of the upcoming presidency, Vryonides emphasized that the primary goal is to foster a self-reliant European Union across multiple sectors including economic prosperity, employment, and defence. He noted that while seeking autonomy, the Union aims to maintain strong links with transatlantic friends through the EU-NATO partnership.

The High Commissioner revealed a packed diplomatic calendar for Cyprus in India, not...