-
.
- Ελληνικά
Today is a day of celebration for every citizen. We celebrate the European Union (EU), our common home, our great European family.
Europe Day symbolises the evolution of an unprecedented political construction. An edifice of security, peace, solidarity and prosperity, committed to defending and promoting our common values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. A Union based on the cooperation of the peoples of Europe.
From Robert Schuman's historic declaration on 9 May 1950 to the EU of today - with 27 Member States, 450 million citizens and one of the world's three largest economies - the EU has seen major achievements and reforms in all areas.
This year, our country is also celebrating 20 years of EU membership in the context of the fifth, historic enlargement in 2004, which made us, together with nine other Member States and 75 million European citizens, an integral part of the united European family.
Our country has been an equal member of the European Union since 2004 and a member of the eurozone since 2008. Our accession to the EU has transformed our country and made it stronger. It has opened up a huge field of choices for the new generation of Cypriots. It has improved our daily life in education, health, agriculture, tourism and trade, and brought huge benefits in the modernisation of our state.
At the same time, Cyprus is one of the EU's gateways to the rest of the world for energy, trade, shipping and humanitarian operations.
We believe in the unifying power of the EU, standing in solidarity with our efforts for peace in Cyprus and for the reunification of the Republic of Cyprus, the last divided member state of the Union, through a solution based on the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the principles and values of the EU itself.
The EU is an evolving edifice, an ever-evolving force for stability. This philosophy, after all, has guided the Union since its birth. As Robert Schuman said, "the EU will not be created in one go, nor in an overall edifice. It will be shaped by concrete achievements, which will first create a real solidarity".
It is therefore up to us, each Member State and each European citizen, to improve and transform it. And the European Parliament elections on 6-9 June 2024 are an opportunity and a supreme democratic duty to be part of the shaping of European policies.
In the first half of 2026, Cyprus will assume for the second time in its history, as an EU Member State, the Presidency of the Council of the EU. We are working intensively, drawing on all the knowledge and experience we have gained during these 20 years in the EU, for an ambitious and successful Presidency that will leave a positive footprint.
With our vision of a more, fairer, socially inclusive Union, with effective policies for the benefit of all its citizens. For a Union with strategic autonomy. For a stronger European Union. Because a stronger European Union means a stronger Cyprus.
(EN/ΓΣ/NZ)
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
Source[/P][/P]
