Press Releases

It is an honour to be standing before you 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 and 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.

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For the President of the Republic's speech, please click here. 

(MPat/GS)