Press Releases

Delegates from all over the globe participate in the 9th 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) that is being held in Filoxenia Conference Centre, in Lefkosia, on July 25-27, 2018.

President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, opened the conference on Wednesday, 25 July, whilst the main part of the conference kicked off today morning.

During the first part of the morning meeting, held under the chairmanship of POMAK Chairman Andrea Papaevripides, was decided POMAK constitution to be amended so to officially endorse associations of Cyprus abroad, such as Lebanon which numbers a big community of expatriates, and for POMAK constitution to be translated in English. Delegates also endorsed a suggestion on extending the days the conference lasts; therefore, in 2019, POMAK-PSEKA and NEPOMAK conferences will last three days rather than two. Preliminary dates were set between 20-23 August 2019.  

Further to the above decisions, the overseas Cypriots organizations’ presented the actions undertaken by their members in the countries of residence and submitted suggestions for achieving better coordination on a number of issues, such as the the enlightenment efforts of the Cypriots abroad regarding the Cyprus issue. 

Following, the delegates were briefed by leaders or representatives of the parliamentary political parties on their stance regarding the latest developments on the Cyprus problem and exchanged views on a number of issues.

In a parallel session, NEPOMAK delegates were briefed by the Presidential Commissioner, Mr Photis Photiou, on youth programs and initiatives, as well as on the role of NEPOMAK in the bilateral and trilateral cooperation on diaspora issues.

An update, in closed session, by the Minister of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Mr Yiorgos Lakkotrypis, on hydrocarbon issues and Cyprus’s energy policy wrap-up the first part of the conference.

In the sidelines of today’s meeting, a trilateral meeting between Cyprus, Greece and Armenia on Diaspora issues was held. Presidential Commissioner Photis Photiou in statements following the conclusion of the meeting, said that Cyprus, Armenia, Greece and Egypt call on Diaspora to assist the efforts undertaken for helping fire victims in Attica, Greece. He also announced that the Republic of Cyprus has contacted Greek authorities, offering expertise in victims’ identification.

(ML)