Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen Ambassadors,
The Honorable Head of the Delegation of the European Commission in Cyprus,
Honorable Head of the Office of the European Parliament in Cyprus,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today we commemorate a symbolic day!
And inevitably the questions we are called upon to answer... What kind of Europe do we want to build? What will be the future of Europe? How do we ensure a truly united Europe? They loom more relentlessly than ever before.
On 9 May 1950, at the beginning of the great European family of 27 Member States, Robert Schuman's proposal proclaimed the need for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, based on peace, stability and solidarity between peoples, capable of removing the then fresh memories of the nightmare of the Second World War and making armed conflict between European nations seem unthinkable.
Unfortunately, today, the nightmare has awakened again. Europe is on the threshold of a new global military conflict, and the tragic events of the Russian invasion of Ukraine are forcing us to confront our history anew. Consequently, we are called upon to reaffirm with the same vigour as we did 72 years ago the urgent need for unity, peace and solidarity between peoples.
If our common European journey so far has taught us anything, it is that only united we can ensure our long-term survival. The recent pandemic coronavirus crisis is a striking example that only through collective action can we face unforeseen challenges and push our societies forward.
This year's 9 May has the particularity of marking a new beginning for the future of the European Union, with the conclusion today of the work of the Conference on the Future of Europe. An admittedly ambitious exercise in democracy centred on the European citizens themselves, especially the young European citizens.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Faced with the adversity of a pandemic that has unexpectedly struck humanity and changed all our lives forever, Europe has chosen to respond with more democracy by promoting the multi-level consultation of the Conference on the Future of Europe. As you already know, the Conference is a unique project in which the three institutions of the European Union, national parliaments, governments and civil society, with European citizens at the centre, took part in a multidisciplinary debate to shape a new vision for the future of Europe.
The House of Representatives, as a national parliament, participated with a four-member delegation in the work of the plenary session, as well as in the working groups of the Conference under the sub-headings of climate change and the environment, a stronger economy and social justice and employment, digital transition and migration. As the institution par excellence of the democratic will of citizens, the House of Representatives invited Cypriot citizens to an open dialogue, giving them the platform to give their own answers to the question "What kind of Europe do we want?"
As the work of the Conference draws to a close, the promotion of a total of 325 recommendations to the institutions of the European Union demonstrates the enormous response of European citizens and their valuable contribution to defining the vision for the future of Europe in the coming critical decades for humanity.
It is noteworthy that through this real exercise in democracy it became clear that the bar of citizens' expectations for the future of the European edifice had been set very high and that citizens are calling for greater engagement of the European Union on issues such as gender equality, economic resilience, migration, the climate crisis, ensuring public health and further upholding the democratic principles and values of the Union.
It is a fact that our fellow citizens expect the European Union to continue and strengthen its dialogue with citizens, institutionalising those procedures and mechanisms that will ensure two-way and continuous communication between citizens and the European institutions.
In the same way, the European Union is expected to take the leading role that will effectively contribute to tackling the climate crisis and protecting biodiversity, by adopting a new model of circular economy and thus ensuring a just green transition and a climate-responsible and affordable food production.
Strengthening the resilience and quality of health care and public health systems is also high on the citizens' priorities.
Furthermore, the technological challenges and risks of the digital age are of concern to citizens, who are calling for digital rights, equal and universal access to digital infrastructures and effective protection against misinformation, an issue that is taking on dangerous dimensions for democracy.
With regard to the economy, social justice and labour relations, citizens demand fairer working conditions, with a focus on gender equality, young people and vulnerable groups, in the context of a resilient, sustainable and innovative market with a strong social dimension, while on migration, the European Union is called upon to tackle all forms of irregular migration and improve integration policies in all Member States with specific guidelines and an equitable distribution of resources.
In the same context, citizens call on the European Union to reduce its energy dependence on third countries, to take steps to become self-sufficient in critical areas of survival, while strengthening its role on the world stage as an agent of peace, security and stability.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The European Union has proven to be a living and dynamic organisation that is constantly evolving and transforming in order to adapt to today's changing environment of its constituent societies. The rapid developments of the last two years have been, I believe, a catalyst for all of us to understand the challenges and the needs of securing the Europe of the future, securing our European status and continuity.
It is for this reason that we no longer have any choice but to work collectively for a stronger Europe, a Europe that is closer to its citizens, especially in geographically remote areas such as Cyprus, and that implements policies that take into account the specific characteristics, the needs of its citizens and the needs of its citizens. A Europe without the "two measures and two stops" policy, capable of reacting quickly and decisively on security and foreign affairs issues and, above all, with zero tolerance for the instrumentalisation of major humanitarian issues.
Friends
Just as, for example, in a symphony orchestra, wind instruments, strings, percussion - each with its own particular timbre - coexist and all are synchronised in a universal effect for the sake of composition, so in the legislative power, through democratic procedures and cooperation, there is a fusion and harmonisation of different views and perceptions for the well-meaning interests of the citizens.
The Europe that I personally envision is exactly that:
Committed to common principles and values, united in diversity and plurality, shaping and guiding the future that we all want to ensure: safe, peaceful, equal, fair, just, inclusive, non-discriminatory and prejudiced, with full respect for democracy and human rights.
On the occasion of this day, I would like to call on all, especially the young people of Cyprus, to seize the opportunities given to them and, through their participation in society, to shape the future that each and every one of them wants. Because Europe is an idea that every citizen carries within him or her, Europe is us and we are Europe.
Thank you.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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