It is with emotions of joy and pride, tempered by the full awareness of the responsibility this represents, that I welcome you to Lefkosia for the official opening ceremony that marks the assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) by the Republic of Cyprus.
Feelings of joy, because I have the honour of welcoming you here to Cyprus, to Europe’s southeasternmost point, for the opening ceremony of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU. Here, in our continent’s last occupied capital. To a city that is the embodiment of what is at stake in terms of peace, security and European integration.
Feelings of pride and responsibility, because the Presidency of the Council of the EU does not just represent an institutional milestone. It represents a collective, national mission, which we are taking on in full awareness of its importance.
Today, publicly and officially:
We assume full responsibility.
Responsibility towards Europe, towards our fellow citizens.
Responsibility towards our children, towards the future generations.
Responsibility towards the future that we are creating!
And it is a responsibility, ladies and gentlemen, that we are proud to take on. I am proud because this is Cyprus’ moment, which is fully ready and able to lead courageously and decisively.
We have a clear vision and clear objectives for the next six months when we will be the voice of the 27 member states, turning the EU’s vision into reality and fulfilling its strategic objectives. Contributing in a fully positive way, as honest brokers, to ensuring institutional cohesion AND promoting proposals and initiatives that will significantly STRENGTHEN the European integration process.
Building the future of the EU together, armed with a strong sense of responsibility, pride and faith in the European project.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The EU’s most decisive moments, the most significant achievements of our Union came out of the most difficult challenges. It was on top of the ruins left by World War II that Robert Schuman and Jean Monnet laid the foundations of European political and economic integration, which shaped today’s EU. Today’s EU, which represents mankind’s most important construction and collective achievement on the old continent since the Enlightenment.
A construction built to consolidate stability, security and cooperation, which has today succeeded, through the leadership of the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission, in becoming one of the world’s most powerful economies, with a profoundly robust system of values and undeniable geostrategic importance.
A Union of cooperation, prosperity and solidarity, whose strength is based on unity.
A EU of which we are proud to be a member.
And in this context [and also given the presence of Presidents Zelenskyy and Sandu here with us today], I want to stress once again the huge positive changes brought about by our accession to and the membership of the Republic of Cyprus in the EU, in every aspect of our daily lives, the quality of which has undoubtedly greatly improved.
The resulting strengthening of our diplomatic and political power has also had a very positive impact. Our country, the Republic of Cyprus, as a member of a powerful family of 27 states and almost half a billion citizens, has an even stronger voice, further expanding its diplomatic footprint. This is a major advantage for all member states and in particular for a small and under occupation country such as Cyprus, which, while it progresses and moves forward, it is constantly striving for security, peace and reunification.
At the same time, as a member state of the EU, we have managed to overcome serious crises and successfully tackle many challenges, such as the economic crisis of the previous decade and, more recently, the pandemic. Think how much more difficult it would have been to deal with such crises had we not been a member state of the EU.
Together and united, we are also facing a series of geopolitical challenges that affect our Union directly or indirectly. It is in this context that we are also providing our unwavering political, financial and humanitarian support to Ukraine, defending its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. A policy that, as I have stated time and again, will continue and be stepped up during our Presidency, because Cyprus knows first-hand what invasion and occupation means, and what refugees, missing persons and the violation of basic human rights means.
Dear friends,
The ancient Greek phrase ‘Ισχύς εν τη Ενώσει’ – “in unity there is strength” encapsulates with its conciseness and accuracy the essence of our Union.
As member states, only if we are together, united in our diversity, sharing common principles and values, can we not just survive, but also be major players on today’s world stage, as is our rightful role. After all, the multiplicity and complexity of the challenges we are currently facing clearly highlight the need for a greater and stronger Europe.
Cyprus fully understands the importance of the unifying power of the EU and we are placing our trust in our Union, in the serious attempts we are making to liberate and reunite our homeland. We understand very well that only through unity we can be truly strong – as States, as citizens and as Europeans.
At the same time, I am fundamentally convinced that the current environment of geopolitical uncertainty is the EU’s opportunity to emerge even stronger, even more secure, even more united AND even more strategically independent. A EU that protects its citizens, its borders, its infrastructure and its interests, and that is at the same time an outward-looking Union that, in the current volatile international environment, remains a pillar of security, stability and values.
Our vision is therefore of a Europe that is open to the world and that builds partnerships, invests even more in dialogue with its neighbours [many of whom are honouring us with their presence here today] and a Union that promotes and strengthens meaningful, productive cooperation at regional and international levels.
Strength, through cooperation and development.
Strength, through European Integration.
Strength, through the enlargement of the European Area of Security, Stability and Prosperity.
Strength, through promoting the rule of law and respect for human rights.
And Cyprus, as an island at the crossroads of three continents, in a region that is full of challenges, will continue, also in the context of its Presidency, to act as a reliable bridge between the EU and our wider region – a bridge of dialogue, cooperation and mutual understanding, always as part of the solution and never as part of the problem.
This will also be the objective of our presidency: a EU that combines its strategic autonomy with its international openness. A Union that can defend its interests and its citizens while also acting as a force for peace, stability and growth. A Union that boldly supports multilateralism and the rule of international law.
It is precisely for this vision of Europe that the Cyprus Presidency will be working – on behalf of its 27 member states and 450 million citizens.
Dear friends,
The future of each and every one of us intrinsically depends on the strength and cohesion of the EU. The more united, trustworthy and outward-looking our Union is, the more security, stability, development and potential it will be able to offer, not only to all of its citizens, but also to its neighbours and partners.
As the Cyprus Presidency, this is our goal and our ambition:
Greater European integration and more Europe, through “An Autonomous Union – Open to the World”.
Thank you all very much.
(AS/GS)