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- Ελληνικά
Feelings of respect and pride overwhelm us today, on the day of Europe Day, and our presence at this symbolic but very meaningful ceremony is a reminder of the honour due first and foremost to the founders of the European edifice, but also to those who work today for the prevalence and implementation of European principles and values.
Today we remember first and foremost the pioneers of the European family to which we have belonged organically for 20 years. We owe an immense debt of gratitude to the founders of the Union, in particular Robert Schuman and Jean Monet, who 74 years ago, after the disastrous Second World War, planted the seed for a more peaceful world, for a better Europe. We celebrate Europe Day, together with the 20th anniversary of the Republic of Cyprus' accession to the EU and we look at this milestone with feelings of pride, optimism but at the same time realizing our responsibilities, especially towards the younger generation, for a more peaceful and safer tomorrow, with more opportunities, and for us as the Republic of Cyprus for an even stronger, more prosperous, more competitive European Union.
Twenty years after accession, I always say it and I strongly believe it, after the greatest success of the Republic of Cyprus since its foundation, the catalytic changes of our country in a positive direction are noticeable. In this twenty-year journey, which has not been without difficulties and challenges, we have faced, together with our partners in Brussels and together with the institutions, unprecedented crises, such as the banking and economic collapse of the last decade and later the coronavirus pandemic. Now we are facing together the consequences of the war in Ukraine, the war in the Middle East, the energy crisis, the migration crisis, climate change and other serious challenges, which are very difficult, perhaps in some cases impossible, for a small state like the Republic of Cyprus to face on its own. And it is for this reason that I strongly believe that our accession to the European Union has shielded and strengthened the Republic of Cyprus, a small state that has been under Turkish occupation for 50 years.
And, yes, in this great challenge to end the occupation, liberate and reunite our homeland, we look forward to the assistance of the European Union, the greatest peace project in the world. A development, a solution to the Cyprus problem, which will make a decisive contribution to consolidating a sense of security and creating conditions of stability in the wider Middle East region, a region which is adjacent to the EU.
From this historic place, where we celebrated our accession in 2004, where we celebrated our accession to the euro in 2008, which established the Republic of Cyprus' participation in the hard core of the EU, here in the heart of the last divided capital of Europe, on this important day I want to send a message of optimism for the future of our country. A message that we will do everything possible - we know the difficulties, the problems, the challenges - so that the time will come when the wall of occupation will fall and in place of the barbed wire, nature will find a way to give birth to trees, plants and flowers, so that 'dreams will take revenge', as the poet prophet prophetically insists. We envision a Cyprus for all its legitimate inhabitants, Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins. A homeland of free European citizens, members of the great European family, with a population of half a billion people, from different cultures, religions and languages, which respects in practice and not in words every human being regardless of colour, gender and social origin.
Democracy and freedom, for which millions of people in Europe gave their lives, are the stakes for the Europe of tomorrow. And that is why the forthcoming elections on 9 June for the election of new members of the European Parliament are particularly important for the Republic of Cyprus as well. And I am sure that the massive participation of citizens at the ballot box will send a strong message of our desire for a Europe that is more united, more effective and more inclusive. And I want to call on the younger generation in particular, to be massively present in the electoral process in order to take advantage of the opportunity to shape and participate in political developments in a way that strengthens participatory democracy. Europe is not something distant or impersonal. It is our family. It is where the decisions that affect our daily lives are made. It is also where our future is decided and we as a State, but also the Cypriot people through their participation in the electoral process, have an obligation to demonstrate in practice the importance we attach to the EU.
(PM/EP)
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