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- Ελληνικά
It is with great pleasure that I participate in tonight's anniversary event, which commemorates two important milestones for our country: the completion of 20 years since the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union (EU) -which I personally characterize as the greatest success since the foundation of our country in 1960- and the 55th anniversary of the founding of the EDEK.
Before any other reference, allow me, as a minimum sign of honour and appreciation, to mention the founder and historic leader of the EPP, the visionary Vassos Lyssarides. I don't need to say much about the doctor, everyone knows his historical background. I will limit myself to something directly related to one of the milestones we commemorate today, the 20th anniversary of the Republic of Cyprus' accession to the EU.
In no time at all, Lyssarides was among the very few in our country who had spoken out publicly and strongly supported Cyprus' accession to the EU. But he was confronted with the position of the majority, which boiled down to the fact that Cyprus could not be admitted to Europe without the prior resolution of the Cyprus problem. History vindicated the doctor and confirmed the correctness of the judgment of those who formulated and implemented the strategy of EU membership.
Lyssarides' approach in favour of EU membership was part of his well-known reasoning about the need to create synergies, especially for small and powerless states, the need to exploit the interests involved, as he liked to say. This is exactly what we did then, and since 2004 Cyprus has been a full, equal and integral member of the EU. It was the result of the cooperation between the Governments of Cyprus and Greece. It was the culmination of clear, long-term planning with vision and a very specific strategy. It was first and foremost the result of the struggles of the Cypriot people. It was the result of a titanic effort to convince the international community that a small state, a victim of invasion and occupation, should not be punished and should not be accepted in the United Europe because of Turkish intransigence. It was a struggle, a goal that, yes, had as one of its main visionaries and contributors, Yannos Kranidiotis.
The role of the Greek Government in the effort for the accession of Cyprus is known to all. It has been a catalyst and we ought to be grateful. So we also remember Andreas Papandreou and his close associates, Theodoros Pangalos and of course, as I mentioned before, the late Yannos Kranidiotis, who contributed greatly to this tremendous national success. A national success, which bears the signature of all the Presidents of the Republic of Cyprus up to 2004. The first President, Archbishop Makarios, with the Customs Association Agreement between the Republic of Cyprus and the then European Economic Community (EEC) in 1972, as well as Spyros Kyprianos, George Vassiliou, Glafkos Clerides and Tassos Papadopoulos, who successfully led the long march to 2004.
Twenty years later, we proudly see our country's flag flying next to the flags of 26 other Member States and we rightly look to the future with optimism and with the firm belief that the days to come will be much better. After all, over these 20 years no one, but no one, can doubt the benefits and positive effects of our accession, which are visible in every aspect of our daily life.
Joining the EU in 2004 and the Eurozone in 2008 has placed the Republic of Cyprus at the core of the leading political and economic decision-making centres.
Joining the EU has catalytically changed our country, drastically influencing our policies at all levels. But if I have to choose the most important change, in my opinion, it is the benefits, especially for a small state under occupation, of being part of a powerful family of 27 member states and 450 million citizens. Benefits politically, economically, socially and much more. To understand the usefulness of this huge change, let us consider what our lives would be like if Cyprus were not a member of the EU. How exposed a small, semi-inhabited country would be to the dangers that surround it and the daily multiple and diverse challenges that we have to deal with.
Let us think specifically about the crises and difficulties we have had to face over these 20 years. We have been confronted as a State, as a society, as a Cypriot people with unprecedented situations, such as the economic collapse of the last decade and more recently the coronavirus pandemic and the war in Ukraine. We can all easily consider how much more difficult it would be for the Republic of Cyprus to face these challenges on its own. It is in exactly the same context, through exactly the same reasoning, that we are addressing with our partners the challenges we are facing today, such as climate change, the green transition, migration, social inequalities and many others.
It is precisely through the same approach that I see as particularly important the role that the EU can play with regard to our top priority, which is none other than the liberation of our country and the reunification of our homeland.
It is precisely for this reason that from the first day of taking over the government of the country we have made our partners aware of the need for substantial, prominent involvement and support from Europe, and it is also with their contribution that the launch of the new effort with the appointment of the Secretary General's personal envoy was made possible.
Fifty years after the invasion and ongoing occupation we know very well that the facts are not easy.
Fifty years after the invasion and ongoing occupation we know very well that the facts are not easy. But we never said or assumed that this effort would be easy. Unfortunately, the Turkish side follows a delaying tactic and demands sovereign equality, talks about two states and appeals to alleged realities. For us, the answer is simple and let me repeat it before you: A two-state solution will never be accepted, a two-state solution will never be discussed. We want to liberate our country, to reunite it, to make it a place of peaceful coexistence for all its legitimate inhabitants, for all European citizens. This is my vision. This is the promise I made to the Cypriot people when I asked for their vote. This is what my programme of governance, which is my contract with society, dictates. And I will keep it to the end.
In this great national effort, I truly believe in the role that the EU can play. Europe can not only be the catalyst for a solution, but also the catalyst and the best insurance policy for the implementation of an eventual solution. This is precisely the role we are investing in, knowing very well the instruments and tools that the Union has at its disposal, including in the context of the Euro-Turkey negotiations.
In a very few months, our country will take over the reins of the EU for the second time. This is undoubtedly a mission of national priority. Our Government and I personally attach great importance to this most important milestone for the Republic of Cyprus. Twelve years after the successful organisation of the first EU presidency and 20 years as a Member State, we are clearly more experienced and more prepared for this top bet, which I have no doubt we will win.
The timely establishment and staffing of the Ministry of State for European Affairs, our well-trained human resources and, above all, the dedication with which I am sure we will work, leave not the slightest doubt about the success of this difficult task, which will further enhance the prestige and status of our country. I am sure, my dear friend the President, friends, that the contribution of the EPP in this national effort will also be given and significant. After all, it is historically proven, no one but no one can deny it, that the cadres and members of the EPP have always been present at the calls of the country. And because today, apart from the 20th anniversary of EU accession, the 55th anniversary of the founding of the EDEK is also being commemorated, allow me to convey to you my thanks and of course to praise the timeless role and contribution of the EDEK, which has actively defended the legitimacy of this land, the territorial integrity and independence of the Republic of Cyprus. The EDEK was founded at a particularly tense and extremely critical time for our country, which a few years later, five years later, would experience betrayal, political anomaly and ultimately destruction, with the illegal Turkish invasion.
Friend Marino, friends, you have every reason to be proud of your contribution, the contribution of the EPP, to the tireless efforts of our people, first of all of ordinary people, for political stability, for economic development, for social progress, for strengthening the deterrent power of our country. On a personal level, I would like to thank you warmly for your support for the efforts we make every day in all areas, in order to take our country forward, to deliver a better and stronger country, a homeland, a Cyprus that changes every day.
These great goals - as the late doctor used to say - do not allow for petty political approaches. And to those who insist on seeing dividing lines and judging everything with party blinders or with their own interests, we answer that we are here simply to serve citizens, all citizens, without exclusion and without discrimination. Our party - and we prove this in practice - is Cyprus and the well-meaning interests of our people. With a strong economy as our shield and spear, we shield our state and upgrade our security, successfully facing any challenges. The effective management of migration, the support primarily of households and businesses, the qualitative upgrading of health services, investment in our education, continuous reforms in all sectors, the welfare state, the upgrading and modernization of the institution of SYOPs, the fight against corruption and many other people-centered issues are high on our priorities, they are our daily concern.
I stand before you without claiming that in these 16 months we have solved all the problems of the country. But I stand before you and I can say with absolute certainty that in these months we are implementing everything we have promised the Cypriot people. In this effort that we are making, I consider you valuable partners, valuable supporters and fellow travellers.
(PM/GC/EP)
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