The European Union is our key supporter in the effort to achieve peace in Cyprus, President Nikos Christodoulides, said on Wednesday evening at an event celebrating the 20th anniversary of Cyprus’ accession to the EU held at the Presidential Palace in the presence of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who said that Cyprus has become a hub of solidarity, not only for Europe but also for the world.
The President of the European Commission, in her address, mentioned that the 1st of May 2004 marked not only the birth of a larger union; it marked the birth of a new era both for Cyprus and Europe.
She noted that membership in the European Union has transformed Cyprus. ‘If I take, for instance, your national health system, [it was] created with European support. And now, two thirds of all public hospitals in Cyprus are being expanded thanks to EU funds, with new children units or units for mental health,’ she said.
At the same time, she stated that in these 20 years, Cyprus’ natural h
eritage has been protected like never before. ‘Your economy has grown by 4% every year. Your trade has increased sixfold. 8,000 young Cypriots have studied across Europe thanks to Erasmus and 16,000 students from Europe came to Cyprus to study here’, she added.
She pointed out that Cyprus’ membership has also transformed the European Union saying that ‘through the centuries, this island has always been a bridge between continents, but now, since you joined the union, you have become one of our union’s gateways to the world; for energy, for trade, for shipping, but also, for instance, for humanitarian action.’
President von der Leyen reminded that just two months ago, she was in Cyprus with President Christodoulides when Cyprus led the way to open a humanitarian maritime corridor towards northern Gaza.
She pointed out that Cyprus has become a solidarity hub, not just for Europe but for the world. ‘You are definitely making the most of your unique geography. And by doing so, you have become a new centre of g
ravity for our Union. It is thanks to you and the other countries that joined 20 years ago that our Union has become a truly continental one’, she said.
Addressing young students, who were present at the celebrations, she pointed out that “on this occasion, on the 1st of May, my heartfelt wish is that we see this beautiful island reunited, especially for you, the young people who are the future of Europe’ adding that ‘the future of our Union belongs to you’.
Speaking about the European Union, President Christodoulides said that in this successful peace project “we are also investing in ending the occupation and reuniting our country. And yes, the European Union is our main support in the effort to achieve peace in our country through a mutually beneficial state of affairs that will consolidate a sense of security and cooperation in the troubled region in which we find ourselves”.
Addressing the President of the Commission, President Christodoulides said that her presence is an indication of the great impor
tance she attaches to the new generation of European citizens as President of the European Commission.
“The accession of Cyprus to the European Union is an extremely important milestone in the modern history of our country,’ said President Christodoulides.
He pointed out that it is the culmination of a joint, long-lasting and painful strategic pursuit and diplomatic effort with a positive impact on the political, economic and social life of the country.
He noted that the greatest gain is for the Union’s own Member States, since the strengthening of learning mobility and cross-border cooperation between young people form the basis for more solidarity, more mutual understanding, closer relations between European citizens and, by extension, a stronger Europe.
As he explained, one such example is the “School Ambassador” programme, a pan-European secondary education programme involving fifty-five schools in Cyprus, “which you all represent here today”.
Referring to the fact that 2024 will be the Year of Youth
in Cyprus but also that 20 years are celebrated since Cyprus’ accession to the EU, President Christodoulides urged young people to participate en masse in the great celebration of democracy on 9 June for the election of members of the European Parliament.
During the event, students from 17 schools in Cyprus presented their activities under the European Parliament Ambassador School programme.
The students’ presentations were followed by a discussion with the President of the Republic and the President of the European Commission.
On May 1, 2004, Cyprus became a full EU Member State, along with the other nine acceding countries – The Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. On January 1, 2008, Cyprus joined the eurozone. Cyprus assumed the six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 1, 2012 and the next Cypriot Presidency is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2026.
Source: Cyprus News Agency