-
.
- Ελληνικά
"The strength of Cyprus for a successful Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) in 2026 will be the Cypriot people themselves," Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna said tonight.
Addressing the Dialogue Forum organised by the European Youth Parliament of Cyprus, Ms Raouna said, among other things, that youth represent 25% of the European population, noting the EU's commitment to invest in young people, recognising the importance of the role they can play in European affairs.
He added that the Cypriot Government and the President of the Republic himself, Mr Nicos Christodoulides, are fully committed to promoting the rights of young people, noting that the governance programme includes a specific pillar dedicated exclusively to the young generation and their empowerment, ensuring their rights and freedoms and providing them with more opportunities and an active role in the decision-making process and participatory democracy.
The Deputy Minister for European Affairs also noted that initiatives are underway by the Government in this direction, adding that this year has been declared the National Year of Youth with all Ministries actively involved in promoting actions for young people, while she underlined the Government's intention to submit a bill to the House of Representatives to lower the voting age from 18 to 17.
Ms Raouna also pointed out the important role of young people in the European elections and the need for them to have a voice in European affairs through their vote.
Referring to the upcoming visit of the President of the European Parliament Mrs Roberta Metsola to Cyprus, the Deputy Minister for European Affairs said that it is fully in line with the discussions taking place today, discussions that the President herself will continue during her visit here.
She added that the Government has adopted targeted measures to maintain and expand the growing trend of voter participation, especially among young people in the upcoming elections in Cyprus, including by making use of the technology that allows electronic registration on the electoral rolls, but also by boosting the participation of Turkish Cypriot voters through information campaigns.
"Our vote, your vote counts. Exercising the democratic right to vote gives you the right to choose how our common European future is shaped, as well as the right to effective representation in decision-making processes."
On the Cyprus issue, Ms Rauna noted the catalytic role the EU can and should play in the reunification of its last divided member state.
Underlining that this year marks the 20th anniversary of Cyprus' accession to the EU, the Deputy Minister stressed that in the first half of 2026 Cyprus will assume the Presidency of the Council of the EU for the second time in its history, through which it will promote the work of the Council.
Regarding the work of the newly established Deputy Ministry for European Affairs, Ms Raouna said, among other things, that it will have the overall political supervision and coordination, in cooperation with all ministries, of the preparation and implementation of the Presidency, and for this purpose a Secretariat of the Cyprus Presidency has been established.
"The Cyprus Presidency 2026 is a great challenge, but at the same time an even greater opportunity for Cyprus, for all Cypriots", said the Deputy Minister for European Affairs, concluding that "the strength of the Cyprus Presidency will be the Cypriot people".
(PM/GC/NYAN)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
