My dear compatriots,

It is with great pleasure that we inaugurate this web page on the Internet for the purpose of briefing you on the progress achieved with respect to the procedure for Cyprus’ accession to the European Union.

The negotiations for the accession of Cyprus to the European Union began on the 31 March 1998. We are on the verge of the 21st Century and we want to live together, and be ready to tackle the great challenges and share in the benefits from the opportunities that are being created for the peoples of Europe.

The accession process directly affects our lives. New horizons are opening up as well as new opportunities for a better standard of living and an improved quality of life, all within an enlarged European area where everyone will be able to travel, work and express oneself freely. Businessmen and employees will be able to develop their activities in a large and dynamic market. In this common European space, our children will have better opportunities for education and career development. Consumers will have a greater choice of goods and services, with higher quality and standards of hygiene.

Τhe initiative and effort for the accession of Cyprus is now generally accepted. It forms the most hopeful response to the issue of reunifying our island and the guarantee of a better and surer future for all the citizens of Cyprus.

The harmonization procedure is not limited simply to the introduction of some new regulations and legislation. The process should also create institutions which do not exist today and prepare us so as to utilize in the best possible way the dynamism of our society.

The period of time of negotiations for each of the candidate countries for accession will be shorter the greater the degree of preparedness: The less prepared a country the more time negotiations will take. For this reason we have to speed up our rate of progress. In addition we must not forget that the EU memberstates implement advanced measures and practices. We must harmonize ourselves with the acquis communautaire which will be in place in the EU at the moment of accession, and this will create additional challenges.

The aim of the information and communication web page is twofold:

First, to provide the possibility of access to sources of information, on a continuing basis, which comprehensively cover the progress of the accession negotiations, and second, we will share with you your evaluations regarding the benefits which we anticipate to be achieved for the whole of Cyprus. For this purpose you will soon be able to submit questions and put forward your own views and evaluations. We will always be available to respond to your questions.

I sincerely believe that this web site will prove useful for all the citizens of Cyprus and will become a forum for productive dialogue.

Dr. George Vassilliou,
Chief Negotiator and Coordinator for the Harmonization Process.