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- Ελληνικά
The House of Representatives today commemorated the 20th anniversary of Cyprus' accession to the European Union (EU) with the organization of a special plenary session of the House and an anniversary event. Anita Demetriou, the President of the House of Representatives of Malta, Dr Angelo Farrugia, the First Vice-President of the Greek Parliament, Mr Ioannis Plakiotakis, the Vice-President of the Parliament of Lithuania, Ms Radvilė Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė and the Vice-President of the National Assembly of Slovenia, Mr Danijel Krivec. Nikos Christodoulides, state officials, Cypriot MEPs, EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakidou, Member of the European Court of Auditors Lefteris Christoforou, Cypriot judges in EU and other international judicial bodies, as well as the diplomatic corps.
In her speech, the Speaker of the Parliament, Mrs. Anita Demetriou said, among other things, that the strategic choice of the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union was the object of collective political support and effort, which brought significant benefits for Cyprus and its people. He underlined in particular the role that Cyprus must assume within the Union as well as in the Middle East region, in defence of common European principles and values, but also in addressing common challenges, with the aim of building a better future for its citizens.
This was followed by speeches by the Leaders or Representatives of the parliamentary parties and independent MPs, in which they paid tribute to the pioneers of Cyprus' integration into the European structure and reiterated the benefits of Cyprus' participation in the EU as an equal member state, resulting in the prosperity and progress of its people. It was pointed out in particular that EU membership has strengthened the statehood of the Republic of Cyprus, while it was noted that Cyprus expects the Union's active and substantial contribution to the resolution of the Cyprus problem, as well as the provision of support to address the migration crisis. Reference was also made to the challenges that the Union faces, both at home and abroad, and the importance of making use of the citizens' right to vote in the upcoming European elections, as a means of effective participation in the decision-making process, both in general and in particular in relation to key policy issues.
Then, an anniversary event was held on the 20th Anniversary of Cyprus' accession to the EU.
In her opening speech, the Speaker of the Parliament, Mrs Demetriou referred to the achievements of the Union, while recalling the responsibility of all to collectively address the major common challenges. She stressed the importance of a more effective presence of the Union in the lives of European citizens, as an axis of security, economic prosperity and a guarantor of the rule of law. He also underlined that the aggressive actions of those who violate international law will not be tolerated by a union of democratic states such as the EU.
In his welcoming remarks, the President of the European Parliament, Ms Roberta Metsola, the First Vice-President of the Hellenic Parliament, Mr. Ioannis Plakiotakis and EU Health and Food Safety Commissioner Stella Kyriakidou referred to the 2004 enlargement as a mutually beneficial development, both for the then 10 new Member States and for the EU itself, which they enriched geopolitically and culturally. The speakers reiterated the need to resolve the Cyprus problem, as well as to uphold international law and adherence to the principles and values on which the EU is founded.
A round table discussion followed on "Collective achievements, common challenges and future course as EU Member States - the role of parliaments", in which the President of the Parliament, Mrs. Demetriou, President of the Parliament, Dr Angelo Farrugia, Speaker of the Parliament of Malta and the Vice-Presidents of the Parliaments of Greece, Lithuania and Slovenia, Mr Plakiotakis, Ms Morkūnaitė-Mikulėnienė and Mr Krivec, respectively. They mainly discussed the achievements and benefits of their countries' membership of the European family in terms of peace on the continent, economic growth and stability, as well as the improvement of the quality of life within the Union. They also exchanged views on the main challenges facing the EU, while underlining the added value of addressing them collectively.
The anniversary event concluded with an award ceremony for high school and technical school students in an essay writing competition on the 20th anniversary of Cyprus' accession to the EU, announced by the Parliament.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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