Tryphon Andreou, 63 years old from Limassol,[/B] said it was a unique experience and there were very productive discussions. He noted that through the conference he realised that the "two-speed Europe" was valid, as many of the problems posed by the citizens of Eastern European and Southern countries already existed as guaranteed rights in Northern Europe.
"It is clear that there is a huge gap between what people want for Europe and how they perceive it" EU leaders, he said, adding that it remained a question mark over whether citizens' views would be taken into account. "Will Europe listen to what citizens want?" she wondered.
Kalliopi Mavrommatis, 49, from Agios Nikolaos, Crete,[/B] had similar concerns.[/B] "We met people with different views and took part in such a democratic process," she said. But she expressed her disappointment that all this would not be accepted by the European institutions. She also added that "there was a heavy atmosphere because of the war, it was pretentious to talk about justice and human rights and freedom when there is a war in Europe." However, he noted the conference was a first step and "if the right steps are taken by the organizers, I believe it can have results."
"We may come from many different countries with different living standards, but the problems are almost the same" said Vaios Pantoulas, 42, from Heraklion. "It's nice to see this, this is what I will leave here with," he said."
Sophia Kalogirou, 23 from Athens, noted that "I don't know if what was decided will be put into practice". If they do, "Europe will go one step further," she said. She also said this process should have started years ago.
"I feel more informed and I think optimistic about the future," said Stephanie Irakleous, 21, from Nicosia. She said she feels that Europe can offer security for the future, in the workplace. "If what we said is heard I think things will be much better." In her view, after Brexit, the EU wants to listen to citizens about how they see Europe, to see what went wrong and change it.
Aristidis Gairos, 21, from Thessaloniki, said that through this process young people were given the opportunity "to consider that they count too. Being involved is not only for yourself, but at some point you may be given the opportunity to pass on your knowledge and opinions". He noted that this is the first time that Europe has somehow had direct democracy. "And the minimum to change is an important progress."
The two members of the Cypriot delegation and the four members of the Greek delegation are six of the 800 people randomly selected by the EU to participate in the Conference on the Future of Europe. The last thematic session of the conference's citizens' groups concluded on Sunday in Dublin.
Source: KYPE by envoy Maria Christofi
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