The EU as a shield for all of Cyprus Christos Stylianides speech at OPEK’s event marking 20 years of accession
Cyprus can draw significantly from the experience of the “Helsinki” period (1995-2003) to build on Cyprus’ membership of the EU and move forward in resolving the Cyprus problem, Christos Stylianides, Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy of Greece, argued at an OPEK event in Nicosia.
MR. Stylianides, former Commissioner of Cyprus to the EU, was the keynote speaker at the event held on Monday
20 May 2024, at the Journalists’ House in Nicosia on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the accession. In his speech, he focused on the benefits of accession for the economy, society and the younger generation, as well as the lessons and the perspective that Cyprus has in the Union.
Referring to the Cyprus issue, Christos Stylianides noted the following:
“The Cyprus problem has always been a conflict of geography-history. The majority of the population was Greek, but geographically we belong to the Eastern Mediterranean with the well-known geopolitical influence of Turkey. The European shield neutralizes this conflict of geography and history and democratically guarantees the human rights of the two Communities. So every day that passes without a solution to the Cyprus problem leads not only to partition, but to the possibility that in the long term, the Hellenism of Cyprus will have challenging adventures. It is dangerous naivety to believe that the current legal status quo ensures peace, stability and security for Cypriots. I continue to believe that the shield that will protect Greek Cypriots in Cyprus is a solution where, regardless of the structure of the state, Cyprus will be united within a united Europe.”
The event is part of the “We – Together” European Programme implemented by OPEK to strengthen citizens’ participation in public life and the upcoming European Elections 2024.
Find the full speech here
Watch the video of the event here
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https://opekcy.org/wetogether/
More about the Yannos Kranidiotis award and previous awards
https://opekcy.org/vraveio-protoporiakis-dimiourgias-giannos-kranidiotis/
