In our efforts for reunification, the main function of the EU is crucial, as its substantial and energetic involvement may also help to restart negotiations and obtain an answer to the Cyprus downside, emphasised the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulidis, in his speech on the School of Europe within the metropolis of Bruges, Belgium.
The President, who was invited to handle the School by the newly shaped Cypriot College students' Affiliation of the School, as a part of the nationwide week devoted to Cyprus, referred to the three anniversaries/occasions that coincide in 2024, the 20 years since Cyprus joined the EU, the fiftieth black anniversary of the Turkish invasion and the upcoming European elections.
What unites them, he mentioned, is the will and imaginative and prescient for the longer term, for the Europe we wish, for extra integration, for extra unity, which inevitably implies that the EU should additionally change into a catalyst for the reunification of the final divided state member, by way of a complete settlement in accordance with UN Safety Council resolutions and the European acquis. An answer that protects the basic rights and freedoms of all Cypriots, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Latins and Armenians.
In these efforts for reunification, he emphasised, “the main function of the EU is crucial as its substantial and energetic involvement may also help to restart negotiations and obtain an answer to the Cyprus downside. As I’ve repeatedly acknowledged, the instruments the EU has at its disposal may also help obtain a mutually helpful scenario for all of the Cypriot folks, the EU, Turkey and the broader area.”
He reiterated that since assuming his duties, he’s in fixed communication with Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot civil society teams and representatives of youth networks saying “I’m properly conscious of the truth that the brand new era of the island, each Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, need peace. And I believe that the Cypriot scholar society of the School of Europe is certainly a typical instance of this, as it’s made up of members from each the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. Your name for peace is clearly heard. And I’ll spare no effort to appreciate the frequent dream of reunification, peace and prosperity in Cyprus”, the President underlined.
In his speech, he additionally referred to the Center East, noting that the EU can’t afford to not have a robust voice and function in what occurs within the area, not solely as a result of it’s an integral a part of the EU as a strategic, international actor, but in addition as a result of what occurs within the Center East has a severe influence on Europe, from immigration to safety.
“The go to final Sunday of the President of the European Fee along with 5 heads of state, together with Cyprus, for the historic signing of the EU-Egypt strategic partnership is proof that the EU can and should play this function. For a very long time, Cyprus has been totally conscious of Egypt's essential function as a pillar of stability within the area and we have now supported the event of a strategic partnership between the EU and Egypt. I’m very completely satisfied that final Sunday this imaginative and prescient grew to become a actuality”, he emphasised.
President Christodoulidis, who’s the primary Cypriot President to go to this historic educational establishment, referred to the maritime humanitarian assist hall from Cyprus to Gaza saying that after months of intense diplomatic efforts and coordination with companions, the Amalthia mission has been carried out with the primary ships carrying humanitarian assist to have arrived safely in Gaza.
He added that one ship has already efficiently delivered humanitarian assist to Gaza and one other is on its method to Gaza, and mentioned that Cyprus is working onerous with its companions, greater than 40 states have expressed curiosity, to make sure a steady stream assist to civilians.
“It was an effort that we launched into totally conscious of its huge difficulties. Totally conscious that nearly nobody believed it may truly be carried out. However as a small nation, with out hidden agendas, having an essential geographical place and glorious relations with all of the international locations within the area, we had a duty to pursue it” he underlined.
He mentioned that “with the help of the EU, the USA, the UAE and others, we managed to make it a actuality. An achievement for the entire of the EU and for the good thing about a whole lot of hundreds of individuals.”
“This can be a testomony to the function the EU can play and the function Cyprus can play as a bridge between the troubled Center East area and the remainder of Europe. The EU have to be actively current in its neighborhood and help all efforts for a sustainable ceasefire, which can hopefully result in new negotiations on the idea of UN Safety Council resolutions for a two-state answer for Palestine and Israel “, identified.
Referring to Ukraine, he mentioned that Cyprus, a sufferer of unlawful invasion and half a century of steady occupation, has stood unwaveringly, categorically on the correct facet of historical past with regard to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“We stand and can proceed to face with Ukraine and its brave folks combating Russian aggression, which has successfully erased the notion that peace on the European continent is a given. Fairly, it proved that we should defend it and defend it vigorously. And this could solely be achieved if we’re united.”
As well as, he identified that standing on the correct facet of historical past didn’t come and not using a price, including that “we have now made painful choices, which come at a value to our folks and our societies. However it’s clearly a value price bearing. We are going to by no means enable adjustments to the borders that come from violence and battle.”
Referring to the imaginative and prescient for the way forward for Europe, he mentioned that the European mission has by no means been extra precious than at present and that by no means earlier than have we would have liked a stronger, extra resilient, extra aggressive Union, which supplies which means to the on a regular basis lives of individuals. European residents and to be current as a robust international issue within the geopolitical area.
The EU's strategic autonomy, famous President Christodoulidis, should not stay an summary concept, however have to be given flesh and bones and change into a actuality. On this respect, he continued, constructing European protection on the Union degree might be catalytic and is one thing that Cyprus strongly helps.
“Cyprus will proceed to contribute constructively to the discussions on the Way forward for Europe, the strategic agenda in view of its anticipated approval on the June European Council,” he concluded.
KYPE
