In Defense of Cyprus - NYTimes.com Re "Cyprus to Take Over European Presidency" (news article, June 27): I would like to express surprise and disappointment at what I consider an unfair representation of the economy of Cyprus and where President Demetris Christofias stands. Our applying to the European institutions to help solve problems that have arisen mainly in our banking sector has absolutely nothing to do with our ability to carry out an excellent presidency of the Council of the European Union. Cyprus has prepared very well indeed for assuming the presidency on July 1, and we have every confidence that it will be a very good presidency for the common benefit of the union. This has been attested to by a number of European Union dignitaries and officials who have had the opportunity to follow our preparations. Cyprus, as a small country with no hidden agendas on a number of European issues, is well placed to exercise the role of an honest broker and facilitator in an effort to advance European issues and reach agreement on a number of important matters. Cyprus's economic indicators compare very favorably to those of a great number of countries within the European Union and the euro zone and internationally. It is totally groundless to say that Cyprus is "nearly broke." It is grossly unfair for critics to maintain that President Christofias will destabilize or divide the European Union simply because he comes from a left-wing party. The European Union can well accommodate both right-wing and left-wing parties as well as everything in between. It is perfectly true that the president does not consider extreme austerity to be the answer to Europe's economic difficulties or a panacea, but as your article points out, this is a view that is increasingly shared by many other Europeans. STEFANOS STEFANOU Government Spokesman Republic of Cyprus Nicosia, Cyprus, June 28, 2012