Concert in Varna marks European Union Council Presidency Handover

"We will work for a prosperous, secure and democratic European Union, Ireland's Ambassador to Bulgaria Catherine Bannon said after symbolically taking over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from Cyprus' Ambassador to Bulgaria Haralambos Kafkarides, during a special event held as part of the Varna Summer International Music Festival.

Kafkarides said that the event marked the end of Cyprus' six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union, noting that, by way of a symbolic gesture, the Presidency would be handed over from Cyprus to Ireland. ''Once again, we are placing culture at the forefront of our Presidencies. It is an honour for us to hear this evening the Cypriot soprano Chryso Makariou, who lives and works in Austria", Kafkaridis said, as quoted by BTA.

"I am pleased to be with you in Varna as we celebrate Ireland's assumption of the presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eight time. Over the past six months, Cyprus has worked tirelessly on behalf of the EU member states, and Ireland will continue to devote energy and enthusiasm to building on the excellent work that Cyprus has done", Ambassador Bannon said.

Edited by Ivo Ivanov

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov