The Pioneering Creativity Award “Yiannos Kranidiotis” was established by OPEK in 1999 to honor Yiannos Kranidiotis, the politician, the individual, the visionary who worked tirelessly, consistently, and methodically for Cyprus’ accession to the EU. As known, his tragic death occurred in the fatal plane crash involving the government’s Falcon aircraft bound for Bucharest on September 14, 1999, where he was to represent Cyprus at a Balkan ministerial summit. Despite his short life, his vision for Cyprus, Greece, and the path to the EU remains timeless and relevant.

A leading advocate and protagonist for the Cyprus issue within the polical sphere in Greece and beyond, Yiannos Kranidiotis worked intensively towards realizing the grand vision of Cyprus’ accession to the European Union. In 1998, he advised the Cypriot government to submit an application, under the Greek presidency, for EU membership, paving the way for Cyprus’ European journey. The European Council’s decision in Corfu in 1994 included Cyprus in the next EU enlargement. Subsequent decisions in Helsinki and Nice, along with the accession dialogue, led to the Copenhagen Summit and the signing of the Accession Treaty in Athens on April 16. The path initiated by Yiannos Kranidiotis culminated in the historic date of May 1, 2004, with Cyprus’ definitive accession to the European family.