Statement by the President of the House of Representatives, Demetris Christofias, on the Occasion of the visit of the President of the European Comission, Mr. Romano Prodi, to the House 

October 25, 2001

 

Your Excellency President of the Republic of Cyprus,

Ladies and Gentelmen, Colleagues,

It is with particular pleasure and great excitement that I have the privilege to welcome to the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus the President of the European Commission Mr Romano Prodi. 

Mr Romano Prodi is a distinguished personality of international calibre who has associated his name with the steady furtherance of the cause of European integration.  At the helm of the European Commission since 1999 the systematic and principled culture on his part of the European voice effuses common values, beliefs and civilization originating from our common European heritage.         

Your visit to Cyprus, Mr President, is taking place at difficult times which humanity is experiencing in a tragic way today. It is comforting to note that with your firm positions you have struck the right note and given the right way of addressing terrorism by making clear that the reaction of the international community, with which the Cyprus Republic has aligned itself against terrorism, is not a war against cultures or a conflict of religions.  It is imperative that the European Union oppose a united world of peace, democracy, equality, prosperity and international understanding and solidarity with Man in its epicentre against every sort of terrorists. 

The Cyprus Republic believing unwaveringly in the future of Europe continues its efforts firmly and decisively for the harmonization of its national legislation with the acquis communautaire.  The Cyprus Parliament plays its own part and faces with responsibility as a first priority the harmonization process.  Our progress in our accession negotiations is due to a great extent to the common effort of all the political powers in Cyprus but also to the general support offered by public opinion.  These efforts made by Cyprus but also the proven dedication to democratic institutions and European ideals and principles are acknowledged and clearly recorded in the latest progress report by the European Commission on Cyprus.

As regards the process for the solution of the Cyprus problem, I would like to emphatically stress that the President of the Republic participates with the support of the National Council in the effort under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General with all goodwill for the solution of the problem on the basis of United Nations Resolutions and the High Level Agreements.  I would like to underline that our expectation is that a united Cyprus join the European Union.  I would like at the same time, however, to point out that our will must not be misinterpreted. It is not possible for Cyprus to accept the absurd demands made by Turkey and the Turkish occupation leader Mr  Denktash which are followed by threats.  Especially his unrealistic   claim for a direct or an indirect recognition of the occupation regime as a state entity just to reach a settlement to the Cyprus problem.  

I would like to avail myself of the opportunity of your presence here, Mr President, to express the warmest thanks on behalf of the Cyprus people for the firm promotion by the European Commission of the provision of the Helsinki Summit decision which envisages that the solution of the Cyprus problem is not a prerequisite for the accession of Cyprus to the European Union as well as for the conviction that Cyprus will become a member of the European Union during the first wave of enlargement.

With these few thoughts, Mr President of the European Commission, I welcome you once again to the Cyprus Parliament. 

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