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- Русский
I am very encouraged by everything I have heard from your interventions. I want to thank you warmly for your support for our initiative for a more active, more substantial involvement of the European Union in the efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem. The message that comes out of our discussion today is this universal support, and I hope that soon we will create such facts that, indeed, with the strong presence of the European Union, we will achieve the objective of resuming the talks and resolving the Cyprus problem. I am also pleased that you understand the great challenges that Cyprus, and some other Member States of course, are facing on the issue of migration. It is an issue on which, as a European Union, we cannot afford to fail. We have to work collectively so that we can address this problem and we will only address it if we also address the exact causes of the phenomenon of migration.
Madam President,
Bearing in mind the time constraints, allow me, very briefly, very briefly, to refer to some of the issues raised by the interventions. First, on the issue of climate, we see the environment as a precious heritage that needs to be protected. My reference to oil and gas is due to the role they can play as a bridge to achieving the European Green Deal. That is why I stressed the importance of oil and gas. I want to mention something about the issue of missing persons. Frankly, we appreciate Parliament's continued interest in this humanitarian issue, as demonstrated by the recent appointment of a new special rapporteur. The issue of missing persons is one of the most tragic aspects of the Turkish invasion and ongoing occupation of my country. The families of the missing, whether Greek Cypriots or Turkish Cypriots, are entitled to recover the remains of their loved ones and know the circumstances under which they disappeared.
In conclusion, Madam President, ladies and gentlemen,
I would like to underline, once again, the historical duty of all of us who are involved in public affairs. I am addressing all of you, here in the temple of European democracy, to send the message that we have a historic duty to work together so that this edifice of peace and prosperity, our European family, the one that has been handed down to us, can be handed down to our children, to new generations, bigger, more mature and stronger. And I am strongly convinced that we can achieve this.
What I can tell you with certainty today, as an elected representative of the Cypriot people, is that I will make every effort, as a member of the European Council, to achieve further integration of the EU. I am a believer, I strongly believe in the need for further integration and I will do everything possible on our side to achieve this institutional deepening, with more common policies, everything that will lead the European Union to be a leading player on the international stage.
My vision for a more integrated Europe also goes through a reunited Cyprus. We know very well that we cannot change geography, we cannot change or choose our neighbours. I am well aware of the difficulties in relation to the Cyprus problem, but at the same time, my vision for an even stronger Europe goes through a reunited, a strong Cyprus, which will be an even more active member of the EU.
It is for this reason that I want to conclude my speech by making use of my presence in the European Parliament, I want to send a message to our Turkish Cypriot compatriots, who are citizens of the Republic of Cyprus, who are citizens of the EU. And for me, as President of all Cypriots, my greatest achievement, my greatest legacy will be to deliver to our children a reunited Cyprus, a reunified state, which will be an even stronger partner in a stronger EU.
Thank you very much.
(BIO/EP/NG)
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