YIANNOS KRANIDIOTIS PIONEERING CREATIVITY AWARD

“However, what will happen in the case where, due to Turkish intransigence, negotiations for the resolution of the Cyprus issue are not successful before the completion of accession negotiations? Our view is that Cyprus should, at that time, become a member of the European Union, legally as a whole, but the Accession Act will apply to the free part as long as the occupation persists.

 Efforts to find a resolution to the Cyprus issue should persist even after Cyprus joins the European Union. The aspiration is for a fair and sustainable solution, emphasizing that Cyprus should not be held hostage to Turkey’s influence and should not face repercussions for a second time due to Turkish policies. It underscores the crucial understanding that resolving the Cyprus problem and Cyprus’ path to European integration benefit the entire population of Cyprus, encompassing both Greeks and Turks”.

This text is credited to Yiannos Kranidiotis and is part of his work titled “Greek Foreign Policy – Thoughts and Considerations on the Threshold of the 21st Century,” from November 1999. It reflects his perspectives on diplomatic challenges and aspirations related to Cyprus and its European integration.

YIANNOS KRANIDIOTIS PIONEERING CREATIVITY AWARD

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.

The awards were given for the following contributions:

  • 2022:

  • 2021:

    Intercommunal Peace Choir – Lena Melanidou: Recognized for their overall work in the continuous effort for peace and reconciliation in Cyprus.

  • 2020:

    Niyazi Kizilyurek: Acknowledged as an academic, teacher, and author advocating for the comprehensive Cyprus, exhibiting courage and firm positions.

  • 2019:

    Andreas Paraschos and Sevgul Uludag: Honored as journalists who researched, cross-referenced sources, and fought for clarification of the fate of the missing persons in the Cypriot tragedy.

  • 2018:

    Christos Stylianides: Commended for contributing to the development of European civil protection policies and humanitarian solidarity, broadening Cyprus’ active participation horizons.

  • 2016

    P. Ioakimidou: Acknowledged as the closest collaborator of G. Kranidiotis. A professor of European Politics at the University of Athens, recognized for his contribution to Cyprus’s successful accession.

  • 2015

     T. Hadjidimitriou and Ali Tunzau: Heads of the Technical Committee for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage were praised for their consistent struggle for the conservation and restoration of monuments of our cultural heritage.

  • 2014

    G. Markopouliotis and A. Attalidou: Heads of the EU Representation in Cyprus and Head of the European Parliament Office in Cyprus respectively. The award recognized their contribution to promoting understanding of European politics on the island.

  • 2013

    Andreas Mavrogiannis: Recognized for his contribution to the preparation, planning, coordination, and implementation of the first Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2012.

  • 2011

    Christos Rozakis: Acknowledged as an academic and former Vice President of the European Court of Human Rights. Recognized as a Europeanist, a judge of authority in Europe, and a creator of prerequisites for Cyprus’ accession to the EU.

  • 2009

    Michalis Sarris: Former Minister of Finance was honored for his contribution to Cyprus’ entry into the Eurozone (EMU), enhancing and strengthening its participation in the European family.

  • 2008

    Nikos Themelis: A writer recognized as a leading figure in modern Greek literature. Honored for his literary work and his political action, contributing significantly to the struggle for Cyprus’ accession to the EU.

  • 2007

    Nikiforos Diamandouros: Former European Ombudsman was honored for his consistent efforts to give more rights and opportunities to the European citizen through the institution he presided over.

  • 2006

    Michalis Christodoulides: A composer acknowledged for his music based on Cypriot folk poetry, embellishing the poetic creation of Cypriots and Greeks. His music received international recognition.

  • 2005

    Andreas Christofides: A journalist and former Director-General of the Athens News Agency (ANA), honored for his active, substantive, and effective contribution to the progress and development of journalism in both Cyprus and Greece.

  • 2004

    Anna Diamantopoulou: Former EU Commissioner was recognized for her overall action in promoting the common policies of the European Union, especially in the fields of equality and social policy, as well as in facilitating Cyprus’ goal of EU accession.

  • 2003

    Kostas Montis: A poet, the leading Cypriot writer, was honored for his concise and dense language expressing Cyprus’ world during the years of Independence and the period after the invasion. Montis was a poet with international recognition.

  • 2002

    Marios Tokas: A composer was honored for his dignified presence in the field of music, adding to the quality of his creation the sensitivity for his homeland Cyprus, with genuine visions of reconciliation and the abolition of barbed wire.

  • 2000

    Andreas Theophanous and Pambos Papageorgiou: Researchers at Intercollege were awarded for promoting critical thinking and seeking new paths through their research activities.

  • 1999

    Lefteris Economou: A painter was awarded for his rich and creative work in the field of art.

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