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It is an honour to be standing
before you here today as the first President of Cyprus to be visiting this
historic academic institution in the magnificent city of Bruges.
It is a privilege to be given
the opportunity to address Europe’s youth and by definition, Europe’s
future.
I wish to extend special thanks
to the newly formed Cypriot Society of the College for inviting me to speak
during the College’s Cypriot national week. Since there is only five of you –
for now, as I am certain this community will grow – allow me to thank them
one by one: Chandogan, Hara, Emilia, Filippos and Stephanie.
Let me also express special
thanks to my very good friend and a true European, Rector Mogherini, for her
vision for the College. Having worked closely with Federica during her time
as High Representative, under challenging conditions for our Union and for
Cyprus, I cannot say I am surprised by the College’s constant growth under
her able leadership, including the opening of the new Tirana campus.
My presence at the College is
also timely. 2024 is a year marked by key moments and anniversaries for the
Union and for Cyprus. I stand before you as we are approaching the 20th
anniversary of our accession to the European Union (EU). It is a historic milestone
for Cyprus and other EU member-states – and as I often say, it is Cyprus’
most important achievement since its independence in 1960.
2024 also marks a sombre
anniversary for Cyprus and for Europe, the 50th anniversary of the illegal
1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus and the ongoing military occupation of 37% of
the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, of EU territory.
At the same time, 2024 is a
year of celebration of the bedrock of our Union, democracy. The June
elections for the new European Parliament are around the corner.
Approximately 366 million Europeans will be called to the polling stations.
It is a moment of opportunity and reinvention for the EU.
Dear friends,
As a historian by training and
a former academic, my tendency most of the times is to look to the past and
draw lessons for the future. And wearing my political hat, my job is to then
transform and translate those lessons that history offers to formulate a path
and policies for a better future for the Union and by consequence for my
country, Cyprus.
Let me start with the 20th
anniversary of our accession to the EU. The historic fifth enlargement of May
2004 proved the force of the enlargement policy in EU integration. It was an
unprecedented and decisive moment for the future of ten countries lying in
the eastern and southern flank of Europe. And it fulfilled the dreams and
aspirations of tens of millions of Europeans.
The Republic of Cyprus proudly
joined the biggest, and in my opinion most successful, peace project in human
history. A project that has delivered political stability, economic
prosperity and social progress to hundreds of million of people on a continent
that in its recent past was ravaged by war.
Despite the serious challenges
the EU has been facing in recent years, it continues to inspire countries on
the European continent and beyond, largely because it has proven that it
heals historical divisions and wounds and that it is transformative. And it
needs to deliver in this regard. It is in this unifying force of the Union
that Cypriots aspire as they strive to reunify the last divided member
state.
In this regard, 2024 serves as
an opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved and most importantly, on
our obligation as member states to build on the work of the great European
visionaries who set the foundations and built this remarkable political
project.
I firmly believe that our
obligation, our duty to our predecessors and to generations to come, is to
strive in unity and solidarity; for more Europe, for an ever-stronger Union,
for more integration. To ensure that this remarkable political project is strengthened
and is equipped to respond to challenges, internally and externally.
By being member states of the
Union, we have not only undertaken to safeguard and uphold the core tenets of
the Union: democracy, rule of law, fundamental rights and freedoms, which we
can never take for granted. We have also undertaken a collective responsibility
to progressively strengthen this integration project.
In a recent address in
Bucharest, I reiterated my conviction that never has the European project
been more valuable. And that never have we needed a stronger, more resilient,
more competitive Union that is relevant in the daily lives of European
citizens and is present as a strong global actor in the geopolitical
arena.
Undoubtedly, in recent years as
a Union, we have had to overcome crisis after crisis – from the economic to
the migration crisis, to Brexit, to the pandemic and what we once considered
unimaginable, the invasion against a sovereign European country, Ukraine.
These crises have at times
shaken our unity. And yet through it all, we stuck together, in unity.
The pandemic was not the only
unimaginable challenge we have had to face. We also had to address war on
European soil. My generation grew up believing that there was no fragility to
the European peace project. And yet, on February 24, 2022, we woke up to a
new geopolitical reality, with Ukraine, a sovereign European country,
invaded, its territorial integrity violated, international legality
shattered.
Cyprus, a victim of illegal
invasion and half a century of continuous occupation, has stood in an
unwavering, unequivocal manner on the right side of history on the Russian
invasion of Ukraine. We stand and will continue to stand with Ukraine and its
courageous people as they fight Russian aggression, which has in essence
erased the perception that peace on the European continent is a given. Rather
it proved that it needs to be fiercely protected and defended. And that can
only be achieved if we stand in unity.
Standing on the right side of
history has not come without cost. We have taken painful decisions that have
come at a cost for our people and societies. But it is clearly a cost worth
shouldering. We will never allow border changes stemming from violence and
war.
At the same time, we have also
woken up to the reality that there are no frozen conflicts. The war that is
ravaging the Middle East, in Europe’s immediate neighbourhood, at Cyprus’s
doorstep, is a tragic proof to that. The EU simply cannot afford not to have
a strong voice and a role on what is happening in the Middle East, not only
because it forms an integral part of the EU as a strategic, global actor, but
also because what happens in the Middle East has a serious impact on Europe,
from migration to security. Last Sunday, the visit of the President of the
European Commission alongside five heads of states, including Cyprus, for the
historic signing of the EU – Egypt Strategic and Comprehensive partnership is
proof that the EU can and must play this role. For a long time, Cyprus was
fully cognisant of the critical role of Egypt as a pillar of stability in the
region and we have been advocating for the development of a strategic
partnership between the EU and Egypt. I am very glad that last Sunday this vision
became a reality.
Dear friends,
The EU is “a peace project at
the service of life – when the world needs a force for peace”. These are
words spoken by Rector Mogherini a few years ago and they are quite
appropriate for what is happening now in the Middle East.
In Cyprus, we felt a strong
moral duty to deliver aid to the suffering Palestinian population in Gaza,
following the events that unfolded since October 7th with the brutal Hamas
attack. We are, therefore, very pleased that following months of intense diplomatic
efforts and coordination with like-minded partners, we have put into
practical application the Amalthea Cyprus Maritime Corridor with the first
few ships carrying humanitarian aid having made it safely to Gaza. One ship
has already successful delivered aid to Gaza and another is on its way to
Gaza, as we are working hard with our partners – more than 40 states have
expressed interest – to ensure continuous flow of aid to civilians.
It was an effort that we
pursued fully aware of its enormous difficulties. Fully aware that almost no
one believe that it could actually be done/implemented. But as small country,
without any hidden agendas, having an important geographical location and excellent
relations with all countries in the region, we had a responsibility to pursue
it. During these months since the tragic events in October, Cyprus worked
persistently and diligently. We met and discussed this proposal with all
interested parties and we persevered. And I am very glad to say that with the
support of the EU, the United States, the UAE and others, we succeeded to
make this a reality. An achievement for all of the EU and for the benefit of
hundreds of thousands of people.
This is a manifestation of the
role that the EU can play and the role that Cyprus can play as a bridge
between the turbulent Middle East region and the rest of Europe. The EU needs
to be actively present in its neighbourhood and support all efforts for a
sustainable ceasefire that will hopefully lead to renewed negotiations on the
basis of United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions for a two-state
solution for Palestine and Israel.
Against this geopolitical
backdrop, in an ever shifting and complex geopolitical context that demands
resilience, adaptability, strength and an unwavering commitment to core
values and an ability to project and enforce them, it is imperative to take a
step back and think what comes next for our Union.
What is our vision for the EU’s
future?
What is the Union we
want?
The discussions we are having
in Brussels – also at the upcoming European Council – on the strategic agenda
about how we create a more geopolitical and strategically autonomous Union
that is a global actor is not theoretical. It must time and time again be
proven in a concrete way.
In order to materialise the
EU’s geopolitical role, first and foremost, we must be able to rely on
ourselves without always depending on external, and to some extent volatile,
factors. Therefore, the EU’s strategic autonomy must not remain an abstract
idea, but rather must be given flesh and bones and become a reality. In that
regard, building European defence at the Union level can be catalytic and it
is something that we support fervently.
At the same time, the EU needs
to deliver to its citizens, become more competitive, generate job growth,
become climate resilient and transform into a clean, resource efficient and
competitive economy. Cyprus will continue contributing constructively to the
deliberations on the Future of Europe, the strategic agenda ahead of its
expected adoption in the June European Council.
Dear friends,
I began my remarks by referring
to the three key moments and anniversaries that coincide in 2024; 20 years
since accession, the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion and the
upcoming European elections. The thread running through them is the desire and
vision for the future. For the Europe we want, for more integration, for more
unity, which inevitably means that the EU must also become a catalyst to
reunify its last divided member state through a comprehensive settlement in
line with UNSCRs and the acquis. A solution that safeguards the fundamental
rights and freedoms of all Cypriots: Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots,
Maronites, Latins and Armenians.
In these efforts for
reunification, the leading role of the EU is essential as its substantial and
active involvement can help in restarting the negotiations and in achieving a
solution to the Cyprus issue. As I have repeatedly mentioned, the tools that the
EU has at its disposal can help to reach a mutually beneficial state of
affairs for all Cypriot people, the EU, Turkey and the wider region.
Since assuming office, I have
been in constant communication with Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot civil
society groups and representatives of youth networks. I am well aware of the
fact that the new generation of the island, both Greek Cypriots and Turkish
Cypriots, is eager for peace. And I think that the Cypriot society of the
College of Europe is indeed a prime example of this since it is composed of
members from both Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities. Your call for peace
is clearly heard. And I will spare no effort to make the common dream of
reunification, peace and prosperity in Cyprus a reality.
Dear friends,
Joining the EU twenty years ago
was a transformative event for the Republic of Cyprus and for the other nine
member states in 2004. The then new member states have also greatly
contributed to the evolvement and improvement of our ever-closer Union, of our
joint European family. This was mostly done by younger people, students and
new professionals that aspired to embrace their European identity. I can also
attest, as a younger person then, the extremely positive feelings of
Cypriots, but mainly of Cypriot youth, when Cyprus joined the EU. It was a
unique moment, filled with positivity, expectations and dreams for a better
future for all and youth was the motivating power in fully grasping this
momentum.
Twenty years on, it is now your
turn, Europe’s youth, Europe’s future, to dream, hope but also strive to help
advance our European family ever closer.
Thank you.
(MPat/GS)
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