At perhaps the most critical turning point in its course and for its future, Europe will celebrate its Day, which is celebrated every year on May 9th. The day has been designated as Europe Day, a date that marks the anniversary of the historic “Schuman Declaration”. In a speech in Paris in 1950, Robert Schuman, then French Foreign Minister, proposed a new form of political cooperation in Europe that would prevent any possibility of war between the peoples of Europe. His vision was to create a European body that would centrally manage coal and steel production. The treaty establishing this body was signed just one year later. Schuman's proposal is considered the beginning of the current European Union. A lot has happened since that day. The European Union is the most important political creation after the catastrophe of Europe in the two world wars. If we consider the ruins of Europe after two world wars (the worst in the history of mankind), what exists today, with all its problems and delays, is without exaggeration politically majestic. EU member states are making a historic experiment but also a bet: do not let differences between them break up again. And the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine shows that the European edifice still has resilience, despite differences between Member States, which do not always agree with the common policy.
Lucas Fourlas >
“ Partnerships are the basis for peace”
“Europe is facing serious challenges and must face them. Russia's war in Ukraine has shown that the political landscape in our region is fragile and that requires vigilance, good reflexes, but above all unity in dealing with such situations. “There must be a common foreign policy, the creation of common security structures that will allow independence from NATO and the consolidation of a common European identity,” DISY MEP Loukas Fourlas told “P”, who believes in the common vision: “Today, The European Union remains one of the few places in the world that harmoniously composes the market economy with social protection and responsibility for the planet, the security of the rule of law with democratic freedoms and human rights, the national and the common European interest. “, States and adds that Cyprus is part of the world power, as our participation has shown that synergies and collaborations can be the basis for peace, stability and prosperity. “With all its weaknesses, it is the most successful project on a political level. “Those who believe in European integration expect the strengthening of the European edifice through policies that will lead to further autonomy, both economically and politically, as well as militarily,” said the MEP. In fact, he cites the health crisis as a recent example of cooperation, as with the cooperation of all, the scientific community and the leadership, vaccines for the pandemic were prepared, while the Recovery Fund came to support the Member States financially.
Niazi Kizilgiurek
“To see the proclamation again”
“Europe must reconsider and reconsider its principles as they began with the Schuman declaration,” AKEL MEP Niazi Kizilgiurek told P. She explains that she faces serious challenges to go further, while her main problem is that it remains a confederation of nationalists, as, as she states, with the rise of the far right there are Member States that do not even implement the principles of the rule of law, despite the fact that Europe itself continues to act towards common goals, such as the Declaration on the Future of Europe.
“In order to fight the far right, we must also look for a social Europe, as inequalities strengthen the far right in Europe and that is very serious,” Niazi said. Regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine and whether it has affected the structure of Europe, the AKEL MEP says that Putin's unacceptable aggression has caused damage in Europe after it has disrupted what is called EU military autonomy, while bringing and upheavals in the geopolitical part beyond the economic, as he states.
Dimitris Papadakis
“Achievement of the peoples”
“It was an achievement of the peoples of Europe which must move forward to satisfy the societies of the peoples of Europe, in a peaceful and prosperous environment,” MEP Dimitris Papadakis told “P” commenting on what is happening today in Of Europe. He admits that the challenges are many, especially after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “Europe reacted correctly and immediately by taking sanctions against Russia, but everyone must think about the next day and the impact it will have on the peoples of Europe,” he said. “It's time to ease the burden on the middle and lower income classes, as some companies are making huge profits and action must be taken for societies to withstand the burden of sanctions,” he said. Mr. Papadakis also links climate change to sanctions, as he points out that the war creates delays due to dependence on gas, with many countries turning to other sources again, which again brings the need to accelerate the green light. agreement, since, as he says, “unfortunately we experienced the effects of climate change in the summer with floods and heat waves where there were huge disasters and catastrophic results.” The MEP also says that the EU's ambition for a climate-neutral environment with the 2050 target is not enough, if not followed by other major players such as Canada, India, Russia, China, the US and Australia . Climate change is expected to bring more migration flows to EU countries, and Mr Papadakis says there must be policies to address the problem. Finally, in relation to Cyprus, the MEP points out that the partners after the interventions for Ukraine will play an essential role in the effort to resolve the Cyprus issue.
The most appropriate time to meet the world of Europe
The EU institutions have set up a variety of online and on-site activities in all EU Member States, as well as at the headquarters of the EU institutions in Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg. As the European Youth Year 2022 brings Europe's youth to the forefront and with the voices of the people being strengthened by the Conference on the Future of Europe, it is the right time for the people of Europe to meet, to discuss the challenges we all face and to create a better future for Europe that works for all. The last plenary session of the Conference on the Future of Europe marks a multi-month process of meetings and discussions on citizens' proposals for the formation of a Union that meets their expectations. The final report will be presented to the Presidents of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on 9 May in Strasbourg. You too can watch it live from 12 p.m. (Central European Time) online.
The Critical Conference
In recent months, 49 proposals have been formulated based on citizen contributions. Since the launch of the platform on April 19, 2021, more than 50,000 participants have contributed and shared their ideas, commented on the ideas of other participants, supported ideas and organized and referenced events taking place across Europe. The 49 conclusions are divided into nine key areas related to climate change and the environment, health, the strongest economy and jobs, the EU's role in the world, the values and rights of a rule of law, digital transformation, European democracy, immigration and education, culture.
Nicosia event
Europe Direct Nicosia & # 8211; University of Cyprus in cooperation with the Office of the European Parliament in Cyprus, the Representation of the European Commission in Cyprus, the Municipality of Nicosia, the Press and Information Office, the IDEP Lifelong Learning, the Cyprus Youth Organization and the Organization of European Programs and Cultural Relations, took care to combine knowledge and entertainment for the benefit of young and old today Sunday from 10.00 to 15.00 in Eleftherias Square. The event is supported by the Office of the Citizen's Commissioner, the Research and Innovation Foundation, the Cyprus Youth Council, the Nicosia Tourism Development and Promotion Company, the Social Innovation Center and Enoros Consulting. The event will begin with the raising of the European flag and the Ode to Joy. The Mayor of Nicosia, Mr. Konstantinos Giorkatzis, will welcome the guests and the public and will be followed by short greetings from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ioannis Kasoulidis, the Head of the Office of the European Parliament in Cyprus, Mr. Andreas Ketris of France in Cyprus, Ms. Salina Grenet-Catalano, whose country holds the EU Presidency this semester, the Head of the European Commission Delegation to Cyprus, Mr. Myrto Zamparta, and the Citizen's Commissioner, Mr. Panagiotis Sentonas. p>
