The Deputy Minister for European Affairs welcomed the Dialogue Forum of the European Youth Parliament of Cyprus
Cyprus' strength for a successful Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2026 will be the Cypriot people themselves, she said tonight the Deputy Minister for European Affairs Ms. Marilena Rauna.
In her greeting at the Dialogue Forum organized by the European Youth Parliament of Cyprus, >Ms. Rauna said, among other things, that the youth represent 25% of the European population, noting the EU's commitment to invest in young people, recognizing the importance of the role they can play in European events.
She added that the Cypriot Government and the President of the Republic himself, Mr. Nikos Christodoulidis, are personally fully committed to promoting the rights of young people, noting that the governance program includes a specific pillar that exclusively concerns the young generation and their emancipation, ensuring their rights and freedoms and providing them with more opportunities and an active role in the decision-making process and in participatory democracy.
The Deputy Minister for European Affairs also pointed out that they are ongoing initiatives by the Government in this direction, adding that this year has been declared the National Year of Youthwith all Ministries actively participating in the promotion of actions for young people, while underlining the Government's intention to submit a bill to the House of Representatives to lower the age for right vote from 18 to 17.
Ms. Rauna also pointed out the important role of young people in the European elections and the need to have a say through their vote in European events.
< p>Referring to the upcoming visit to Cyprus of the President of the European Parliament Ms. Roberta Metsola, the Deputy Minister for European Affairs said that she is fully in line with the discussions that are taking place today, discussions that the President herself will continue during her visit here.
He added that the Government adopted targeted measures to maintain and expand the increasing trend of voter participation, especially to young people in the upcoming elections in Cyprus, among other things, by making use of the technology that allows electronic registration in the electoral rolls, but also by enhancing the participation of Turkish Cypriot voters through information campaigns.
“The vote us, your vote counts. Exercising the democratic right to vote gives the right to choose how our common European future is shaped, as well as the right to effective representation in decision-making processes,” said Ms. Rauna.
As far as Cypriot is concerned, Ms. Rasouna noted the catalytic role that the EU can and should play in the reunification of its last divided member state.
Underlining that this year marks 20 years since Cyprus joined the EU,< /strong> Mrs. Deputy Minister emphasized that in the first half of 2026, Cyprus will assume the Presidency of the Council of the EU for the second time in its history, and through this will promote the work of the Council.
In all, regarding the work of the newly established Deputy Ministry for European Affairs, Ms. Rauna said, among other things, that she will have the most general political supervision and coordination in cooperation with all the Ministries of the preparation and implementation of the Presidency and to for this purpose, a Secretariat of the Cyprus Presidency has been established.
“The Cyprus Presidency 2026 is a great challenge, but at the same time an even greater opportunity for Cyprus, for all Cypriots”
em>, said the Deputy Minister for European Affairs, concluding that “the strength of the Cypriot Presidency will be the Cypriot people”.
