Speech by the President of the Republic Mr Demetris Christofias at the reception celebrating Europe Day, Presidential Palace
I welcome you with great pleasure at the Presidential Palace to celebrate Europe Day together. To celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the Robert Schuman Declaration on European co-operation. This is the first time the official celebration of Europe Day takes place at the Presidential Palace. Cyprus, as an integral part of the European Union, is participating actively in the celebrations marking Europe Day, which, this year, are dedicated to the struggle against poverty and social exclusion.
May 9 1950 symbolizes the commitment made by European countries to leave behind the destructive conflicts and the War in order to build a common future of peace, prosperity and development. Robert Schuman’s proposal to set up a common High Authority to manage coal and steel production marked the beginning of the effort to establish an entity which has evolved in today's European Union. Throughout the course of these 60 years, European states moved towards the direction of European integration because they realized that Europe’s future lies in co-operation, understanding and unity. Aiming at creating conditions of peace, stability, development and prosperity not only in Europe but throughout the world, a common basis of values has been forged on which the European Union has founded its unity, its future and its role in the international scene. European integration has evolved over time not just in terms of economic co-operation, but in a wider sense of European integration which relates to and touches upon every aspect of the personal, professional and social life of European citizens.
The functioning of institutions as well as the actions of the European Union in the international scene must be founded on the principles of democracy, the rule of law, solidarity, equality, respect for diversity and human rights, consensus building and co-operation among equal member states.
These principles constitute our firm criteria for building an anthropocentric United Europe. Taking all these into consideration, the question should be posed whether in applying these principles we have met the expectations of European citizens. The participation in the European elections of last year shows and confirms that a large proportion of European citizens have not yet been persuaded. Hence, it is imperative to restore the confidence and active participation of citizens, to convince them that we can bring about effective solutions to problems and design a better future.
The citizens, dear friends, demand and expect much more from the European Union. They ask for an open Europe with an intense social aspect. A Europe close to the citizen that will listen to and understand their worries and concerns, that will promote public dialogue with the involvement of civil society and will thus lead to appropriate legal and political decisions. The demand is for a citizen’s Europe and for a people’s Europe rather than one of big financial interests and of the few. A Europe which will always have man in the centre of its attention.
The culmination of the economic crisis with the intensity of speculative attacks against entire countries, as they are experienced today in Greece, brings to the forefront once again the problems of protection of the people of these countries from such actions. The crisis highlights in the most intense way the need for setting up solidarity mechanisms among European countries. Cyprus is standing by the Greek people in these difficult moments. We take full responsibility of our share in supporting financially the Greek economy, thus contributing to Greece’s necessary loaning.
It is precisely in this context that Cyprus, as full and equal member of the European Union, considers European integration. The Republic of Cyprus, respecting its obligations towards the European Union, is actively involved in the European decision-making process while constantly bearing in mind the best interest of the European citizens including that of the Cypriot citizens.
I particularly note that this year has been declared as the "European Year of Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion”. I wish to emphasize that we consider this occasion to be of particular importance in view of the debate which is currently underway for the drafting of the New Strategy which will define the guidelines for Europe in the next decade. The Government and Ι personally have a particular sensitivity as regards these issues, which we have placed very high in our list of priorities.
Dear friends,
As European leaders we have an obligation to live up to the expectations of the citizens, addressing the root of the problems and forming an effective strategy for economic and social development in an ongoing dialogue with our societies. Through this new strategy we must create the basis for addressing effectively the challenges before us.
We must be resolute and integrate the necessary tools in order to claim a strong, balanced, sustainable and competitive European economy with a social aspect and respecting the environment. A socially sensitive Europe which will promote the welfare of its citizens, safeguard the social rights of workers and the weak, and which will seek the coherence of its societies.
We must aim for a Europe that seeks to increase, beyond the rate of growth, the employment rate, the broader objective of raising further the standard of living and the strengthening of economic, social and geographic cohesion. Cyprus during its upcoming Presidency in 2012 will give particular emphasis to priorities with a social dimension, with sensitivity to the citizen.
It is equally crucial to remain resolute and firm and to take the necessary steps in order to deal with the consequences of the economic crisis that has hit us but also to reduce and if possible exclude any possibility of its recurrence. To do this we must realize first and foremost that the economy cannot disregard the needs of society. We must realize that if we want to protect our economies and societies we will have to create the necessary institutional, regulatory safeguards and supervision. The irresponsibility of financial institutions cannot determine the future of Europe and its peoples.
Dear friends,
At this critical juncture, Cyprus is present and is contributing so that through a productive dialogue and consensus decisions will be made and policies will be defined which will serve the interests, meet the vision and address the problems and concerns of European citizens.
At the same time we are still committed and determined to strive to achieve the primary objective: To achieve a solution to the Cyprus problem. This objective, which has led the political leadership as a whole to support the strategic choice of joining the European Union, has sadly not yet been achieved. I assure you that, despite the difficulties encountered, the goal of reunification remains unaltered. Our goal is to achieve a future of peace and prosperity in a united Cyprus so that free from the occupation we can harness the benefits and participate more actively in the shaping of the united Europe of the future. In this effort, we look forward to the support and solidarity of the European Union and of our partners in order to achieve a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality as defined in the relevant Security Council Resolutions. For a state with a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single international personality. A solution that is compatible with the principles and values of the European Union.
Finally, I express once again my commitment that Cyprus will struggle for a Europe with clearly defined anthropocentric orientations, present on the international stage, playing a leading role in the effort to consolidate the principles of democracy, equality and human rights. For a Europe which will struggle to consolidate a new concept for dealing with international problems and which will look forward to their peaceful resolution through dialogue, mutual understanding, respect for diversity and consensus.
