Democracy is the guarantee not only of
human rights and fundamental freedoms but also of security, stability and well
being. Especially at the present time,
when the international community faces so many challenges.
The European Union is a community of law
and, you, the legislators of Cyprus, are working every day to ensure that your
country becomes part of this community and strengthens it.
This
is all the more important in the light of the appalling attacks on the United
States on September 11th. The European
Union has expressed its solidarity with the innocent victims and is contributing
vigorously to the fight against terrorism. Cyprus,
like the other candidates for EU membership, immediately expressed its
abhorrence for those attacks and aligned itself with the EU position on
terrorism and the operations to eliminate it. But
deeds are even more important than words. Cyprus has taken practical measures to
combat illegal arms sales and transhipments and to freeze funds that might be
used to sponsor terrorism. These, and the other steps taken by Cyprus since
September 11th, are deeply appreciated in the European Union. Recent
events vividly bring to mind the raison d’être of the enlargement process,
and indeed, of the European Union itself. The
European Union exists to put an end to the conflicts of the past and to bring
peace, justice and well being to our peoples. It
has achieved this to a remarkable extent over almost half a century. Today,
peace, justice and well being are steadily being spread throughout Europe as
preparations for enlargement go ahead. This
enlargement will benefit not only the old and new member states but also
neighbouring countries, with which we have close ties. No new dividing lines
will be drawn across our continent. Indeed, each new candidate will bring to the
EU its own political, economic, cultural, historical and geographical heritage,
thus enriching Europe as a whole. Cyprus’s
own heritage includes a tradition of good public administration, a vibrant
economy, the talent and creativity of its people and the close links they have
established in the Mediterranean region and beyond. The
flow of benefits is, of course, reciprocal. The European Union will bring to
Cyprus a model of peace and reconciliation, the freedom of the single market and
a set of institutions and policies that meet the needs of all member states. However, those
institutions and policies need redesigning to enable them to meet the challenges
of the twenty-first century. Next
year, Cyprus – together with the other candidate countries and the existing
Member States – will be taking part in a structured debate on our future
policies and how best to run the Union. “Who
should do what” is one of the key questions. The debate will lead to a
new Inter-Governmental Conference in 2004, and Cyprus will already be invited to join in preparations for that IGC. Another key issue in the
great debate is how to involve Europe’s citizens more closely in designing and
implementing European policies. After
all, the European Union exists for its citizens and must be built by them.
In particular, we need
their support for enlargement. People
naturally fear the unknown, and political leaders (both in existing member
states and in the candidate countries) should take time to explain to the
general public why enlargement is in everyone’s interest.
It will boost not only
economic prosperity but also political security and stability in Europe.
We must spell this out to our citizens, who may be perplexed by the
technical nature of the accession negotiations.
Cyprus is advancing well in these negotiations. This is above
all a reflection of your own efforts as legislators in putting into place a
system of laws containing the same principles and provisions as European Union
law.
Parliament
is working expeditiously and your fast-track procedure for transposing EU laws
and rules, the “acquis”, is a model of its kind, on which I congratulate you.
It
is thanks to your efforts, and to the efforts of your government and
negotiators, that Cyprus is amongst the frontrunners in the accession process.
Your
country’s preparations for membership must continue to be pursued vigorously.
A number of politically or technically difficult issues such as taxation,
competition, agriculture, justice and home affairs still have to be resolved.
Further
legislative work must also be done in some fields on which negotiations have
been provisionally concluded, such as telecommunications and the free movement
of goods.
We
are aware that you are planning a major tax reform, partly aimed at adapting
your tax regime to the EU system. We will follow with interest the progress of
the reform legislation through this House.
Of
course, passing the necessary laws is not the end of the story; those laws also
have to be implemented effectively in each candidate country.
Monitoring the candidates’ progress in this respect is, of course, the
Commission’s job. But, as you
know, the existing Member States are also closely following this progress,
particularly in sensitive areas such as the environment, maritime transport,
competition and the prevention of money laundering.
I
am personally very pleased to see the high degree of consensus Cyprus has
achieved on the transposition of EU law. It
is a sign of your country’s healthy democracy that there is genuine diversity
of political views and genuine competition between political parties, yet there
is also underlying agreement on fundamental principles. This unity in diversity
is the very essence of politics and society in Europe today.
Diversity
is of course one of main characteristics of Cyprus. It is a source of richness
and of pride but it has also, over the years, been a source of recurrent
conflict. The European Union lends its full support to efforts to resolve the
Cyprus problem and salutes in particular the continuing work of Kofi Annan, the
United Nations Secretary General, and his Special Representative, Alvaro de
Soto.
The
European Union would be delighted if their efforts were to bear fruit before
enlargement, though – as you know – this is not a pre-condition for
Cyprus’s accession.
How
inspiring it would be for Europe, and for the world at large, if Cyprus were to
heal its wounds and if Greek and Turkish Cypriots were to enter the European
Union together on the basis of a settlement which took into account the
interests and concerns of all parties.
The
United Nations, and others working towards a settlement, are well aware of those
concerns. In the months since the proximity talks were, alas, suspended, they
have been working hard in the common interest of all citizens of Cyprus.
We
were disappointed that the Turkish Cypriot leadership did not accept the UN
Secretary-General’s invitation to resume talks in September. Despite these
disappointments, however, the UN is persevering in its efforts and the European
Union gives them our full backing.
I
very much welcome the recent improvement in relations between Greece and Turkey
and hope that this will facilitate the search for a settlement of the Cyprus
question. I am profoundly convinced that a settlement is within
reach.
Let
me stress that the European Union, with its acquis,
will never be an obstacle to finding a solution to the Cyprus problem. The
European Union never seeks to determine the constitutional arrangements or the
security arrangements of its member states.
Such matters are up to them.
I am confident that the
European Union can accommodate whatever arrangements the parties themselves
agree to in the context of a political settlement. As an EU Member State Cyprus
will of course have to participate in the Council of Ministers “with one
voice”.
The
European Commission is seeking to broaden understanding of the acquis,
and related issues, throughout Cyprus. Given a political settlement, EU
membership will bring benefits to all Cypriots and in particular will
enable those in the northern part of the island to catch up rapidly in terms of
economic performance and living standards.
Following
a settlement, both Greek and Turkish Cypriots will participate in the work of EU
institutions, helping run the Union and shape its future.
Meanwhile,
projects involving both communities on the island can address specific problems,
dispel misconceptions and improve understanding.
Projects
of this sort deserve the active support of all political leaders.
They also demonstrate in practical terms the commitment of the people of
this island to overcoming the problems of the past and reaching a settlement.
There
is a window of opportunity now for Greek and Turkish Cypriots to reach an
agreement before Cyprus’s accession. Every effort should be made to
take full advantage of this opportunity. History would not look kindly on those
who knowingly let this opportunity slip.
A
political settlement before Cyprus’s accession is our strong preference. But
let me make one thing clear. Cyprus will join the European Union, and it will be
among the first candidate countries to do so.
The
timetable is set out. We are aiming to complete negotiations with all countries
that are sufficiently prepared by the end of next year, with a view to accession
in 2004. We hope that Cypriot
citizens will participate in the European elections in 2004. There can be no question of
delaying an historic process in which the security, stability and well being of
Europe as a whole is involved.
During
my visit to Cyprus, I shall be meeting citizens from various walks of life,
including both Greek and Turkish Cypriot trade unionists. I detect a yearning on
the part of all Cypriots to be part of the European project.
As
President of the European Commission I say to all the people of Cyprus
“Welcome! The European Union will only be complete when you, and the
other European peoples who aspire to membership, are ready to join us”.
Thank
you.
* * * * *
Back