As part of her official visit to Cyprus, the President of the European Parliament Mrs Roberta Metsola, together with the Speaker of the Parliament Mrs Anita Demetriou, participated yesterday in a public consultation with members of youth organisations and Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot university students.
The public consultation, which took place at the Library of the University of Cyprus, was entitled "Looking to the future. A debate on youth, Cyprus and Europe".
The President of the European Parliament, after thanking the President of the Parliament for her hospitality, shared with the young people the first steps of her career and encouraged them to ask many questions, thus creating a pleasant atmosphere for the debate that followed.
For her part, the President of the Parliament stressed that Ms Metsola's presence in Cyprus is an excellent opportunity to listen to any concerns, thoughts and initiatives of young people. Addressing the young people, Mrs Demetriou said that "you are the present and the future, and we want you to be part of the policy and decisions taken for you."
The President of the European Parliament, in response to a question on whether the European Union has a plan for the resumption of negotiations on the Cyprus problem, said that the European Union and the European Parliament have not done enough in this direction so far, although intensive efforts were made during the first years of Cyprus' accession. What needs to be done beyond resolutions, Ms Metsola said, is to bring the two sides back to the negotiating table, with the help of the United Nations and the European Union, and promised to continue her efforts to achieve peace.
Asked whether there is any question of comparing the situation in Cyprus and Ukraine, Ms. Metsola, referring to Ukraine, said that "occupation" is a word that can be used, although it has not been used so far. She added that, watching the hybrid threats that this country is facing, we must also discern a new kind of intimidation coming from untrustworthy partners.
Ms Demetriou stressed that the Cyprus issue is what concerns the Cypriot people and especially the young people, since it is about their future, and this is the message that must be conveyed at the European level through Ms Metsola. She also noted that Cyprus can be an example of peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Following a question on the European Parliament's position on the possible accession of Ukraine to the European Union, given the situation in that country, the President of the European Parliament referred to the European Parliament meeting held a few days after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, where Members of Parliament assured the President of Ukraine of the European Parliament's position. Ms Demetriou added that from the very first moment Cyprus had stood in solidarity with Ukraine and its people, stressing the similarity she observed between the invasion in Ukraine and the invasion in Cyprus.
Asked about how a possible inter-Community solar energy project could help stabilise the rising energy prices in Europe, Roberta Metsola referred to Cyprus' long-term investment in solar energy and the prospect of developing its energy mix, concluding that Cyprus can be a strategic partner and energy resource for the European Union. He noted that the European Union had now managed to become only 9% energy dependent on Russia for its energy supply, and that the Eastern Mediterranean could help to make Europe strategically self-sufficient in terms of energy.
On cybersecurity, when asked how to ensure that laws are enacted that protect and work properly, Ms Metsola pointed out that today, as never before, there is a fine line between privacy and security of personal data online. Ms Metsola went on to raise the issue of the alarmingly increasing use of the regular installation of malicious software on mobile phones used for illegal purposes. Journalists, activists and politicians are being targeted, she said, adding that it is European legislation that can protect citizens. "This is a new challenge for the European Parliament, but we are properly prepared in terms of security," Ms Metsola said.
Finally, asked about the sustainability of peace in Cyprus, compared to the current status quo, the President of the European Parliament replied that the sustainability of peace has been the main topic of discussion since she arrived in Cyprus, but also the meaning of her official visit. Addressing the young people, Mrs Metsola said "It has been a long time since '74, don't forget it, don't say that this is about your parents' generation". She went on to say that, "You cannot rewrite history, but you can correct it and be on the right side of it." Ms. Metsola concluded by noting that the important thing is dialogue, tolerance, understanding, and what is important to the country, stating that she will work with us to get it done. Ms Demetriou referred to the new difficulties and challenges we are facing and stressed that cooperation and the European perspective is our weapon to overcome them all.
(NΓ)
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