Address of the President of the Democratic Rally Mr. Averof Neophytou to the EPP Group in the European Parliament
Tuesday, 12 April 2016, Strasbourg, 7.00 pm
Dear Manfred, Dear Friends,
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to address you and to give you a brief update on the current political situation in Cyprus.
A lot has happened since March 2013. We had to deal with the difficult task of stabilising the banking sector and putting the public finances in order. To start the process for reunifying our island and to manage properly our energy resources.
As soon as we took over, we faced an unprecedented challenge: recession, unemployment and a destroyed banking system. We decided that the best way to tackle the challenges was to accept and implement a difficult 3-year economic programme, including a bail-in on bank deposits. And to pass the necessary structural reforms that we avoided for years.
We choose to follow the difficult path of the programme, despite suggestions from the opposition for the contrary. Many predicted our failure. We proved them wrong. After 3 years of hard work and sacrifices, Cyprus exited the programme as of March 31st. We still face challenges but our economy is growing, investments are ricing and unemployment is falling.
The only way to tackle the problems is to further reform our country while at the same time remaining true to our values and the electorate.
The greatest challenge though, is ending the four decades of occupation and division of our country.
President Anastasiades is negotiating in good faith with the Turkish Cypriot leadership and we have achieved significant progress in finding common ground.
However, obstacles still remain on the property issue, the territory issue and on issues related to security.
We still have a long way to go. Turkish officials have also expressed their support for a solution but they have yet to prove in practice that they really mean what they say.
I want to make clear that an agreement on the Cyprus, and i sincerely hope that this will be realized, will also be a game changer for EU – Turkey relations.
Moreover, a solution of the Cyprus issue will be greatly beneficial for the wider security and stability of the region and would offer great opportunities in the field of energy.
So we are ready to move forward. We are ready for a European solution.
We envision a united Cyprus as the cornerstone of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. We want to create a model state, where Christians and Muslims can live peacefully side by side. A global example of harmonious coexistence and productive cooperation within the European Union.
At this point, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Chairman Manfred Weber, the EPP Group and the entire EPP family for your longstanding support in a viable, functional and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem.
Finally, I would also like to thank EPP President Joseph Daul for accepting my invitation to come to Cyprus in May to campaign with me for the upcoming parliamentary elections.
On May 22nd rest assured that the Democratic Rally will once again deliver an EPP victory!
Thank you.
