Press Releases

The 9^th World Conference for Young Overseas Cypriots (NEPOMAK) and the meeting of the Executive Council of the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots – International Coordinating Committee “Justice for Cyprus” (POMAK-PSEKA) will open on Wednesday, July 25, 2018, at the Filoxenia Conference Center, in Lefkosia. The Conference will last until Friday, July 27.

Conference’s proceedings will be opened by the President of the Republic, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, on Wednesday, at 7 p.m.

First day of the conference Presidential Commissioner, Mr Photis Photiou, House speaker Mr Demetris Syllouris, and Greece’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, in charge of issues of Greeks abroad, Mr Terens – Nikolaos Quick, will address the opening ceremony. Heads of NEPOMAK Ms Antonia Michaelides, POMAK Mr Andreas Papaevripides and PSEKA Mr Philip Christopher will also address the opening ceremony. The choir of Pafos Music School will present an artistic program.

During the three-day conference, the Central Committee of Overseas Cypriots organizations will be received by President Anastasiades at the Presidential Palace. Delegates will be briefed, in closed sessions, by Foreign Affairs Minister Mr Nikos Christodoulides on Cyprus’s foreign policy, Energy Minister Mr Yiorgos Lakkotrypis on hydrocarbons, and Finance Minister Mr Harris Georgiades on economic matters. Andreas Mavroyiannis, the Greek Cypriot Negotiator, will brief delegates on the latest developments on the Cyprus problem.

Leaders or representatives of political parties will address the second day of the conference on Thursday, July 26. Youth programmes and initiatives, as well as the role of NEPOMAK in establishing bilateral and trilateral cooperation on Diaspora issues will also be discussed. Further, NEPOMAK will be briefed on the programmes and other opportunities provided by public and private universities in Cyprus for young overseas Cypriots.

Participants at the conference will also be briefed by the Director of the Press and Information Office (PIO) Ms Sophie Michaelides on the multilevel actions undertaken by the PIO, using innovative technology for establishing interactive communication. The CyBC Board Chairman, Mr Thanassis Tsokos will also brief delegates on the new Internet programs of the CyBC, addressed to the Greek Diaspora.

On Friday, July 27, last day of the conference, a round table discussion will be held with the participation of the Ambassadors of the United States, Israel, Egypt and Greece, and the British High Commissioner. Moreover, for the first time, a special debate on the destruction of the religious and cultural heritage in the occupied areas of the Republic, and on issues related to the enclaved people will be held. Overseas Cypriots will also be briefed on the Missing Persons’ issue by the Presidential Commissioner and the Spokesman on the Committee on Missing Persons, Mr Nestoras Nestoros.

Conference will conclude with the election of new NEPOMAK Executive Committee and the election of new NEPOMAK President, Secretary and Treasurer. An adoption of resolutions will follow.

A press conference to be held on Friday by NEPOMAK, POMAK and PSEKA Chairman will wrap-up Overseas Cypriots organizations’ conferences.

Overseas Cypriots organizations’ opening ceremony will be broadcasted live over the internet, via Cytanet live streaming, on the website of the Presidential Commissioner at www.commissionertothepresidency.gov.cy 

(ML)