President Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf met President Demetris Christofias, the Finance Minister Vassos Shiary and the Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis in Nicosia. She was briefed on the priorities of the Cypriot presidency of the EU Council and explained for her part Switzerland's European policy to her dialogue partners. The latter occurred in view of the new conclusions of the EU Council concerning the EU's relations with Switzerland, which should be adopted under the Cypriot Presidency in December 2012. Various financial and tax issues of relevance to the EU were also discussed. In addition, President Christofias  informed President Widmer-Schlumpf of the status of the Cyprus question.

A further topic of discussion was the sovereign debt crisis in the euro zone. President Widmer-Schlumpf told her hosts that Switzerland is committed to finding a solution to the crisis via its contributions to the IMF lending programmes. Furthermore, Switzerland's international tax policy was discussed. In this connection, the Cypriot side reiterated its desire to conclude a double taxation agreement.

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