Cyprus has made spectacular progress in various areas of the daily life of the European citizen, said President of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou, in her address to the special plenary session of the House of Representatives on Friday, for the 20th anniversary of Cyprus' accession to the EU.

At the same time, she stressed that Cyprus aspires to contribute substantially to the energy independence of the Union and to become an energy hub of peace in the wider Mediterranean region.

The extraordinary session was held in the presence of President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides, Ministers, ambassadors, the EU commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides and other dignitaries.

In her address, Demetriou underlined that integration into the European family has offered invaluable opportunities, contributing decisively to the promotion of positive changes, from economic growth to strengthening social cohesion, and from environmental sustainability to cultural interactions and the strengthening of all aspects of human rights.

She underlined that the anniversary of Cyprus' accession to the European family, marks the completion of two decades since the largest enlargement in the history of the European Union: an unprecedented and decisive moment for the future of ten Eastern and Southern European states that fulfilled the dreams and aspirations of a generation of millions of Europeans.

Demetriou said the European Union is undoubtedly one of the most important achievements of Europe's modern democratic history.

"The Republic of Cyprus proudly joined the most successful peace project in the history of mankind, which has offered and continues to offer political stability, economic prosperity and social progress to a continent deeply scarred by bloody conflicts and wars," she added.

"The Republic of Cyprus proudly joined the most successful peace project in the history of mankind, which has offered and continues to offer political stability, economic prosperity and social progress to a continent deeply scarred by bloody conflicts and wars," she stressed.

Over the years, Demetriou continued, the EU has become one of the strongest economies and, as a political union of states, has developed, alongside its other policies, a pioneering social system, while being the world's largest provider of humanitarian aid.

The President of the Parliament said, however, that "we must not forget that the celebration of the 20th anniversary of our accession to the European family is overshadowed by another gloomy anniversary for Cyprus and for Europe: that of the completion of 50 years since the illegal Turkish invasion and the continued military occupation of 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus. which is worth noting that it is an integral part of EU territory".

The Turkish invasion, she added, continues to be "a gaping wound in the history of our country, highlighting the timeless need to safeguard the security of our country and restore the rights of all its citizens, because in the conscience of all Cypriot citizens, membership in the EU represents the ardent desire for peace, security and progress, within the framework of a union of states that has respect for fundamental rights and freedoms as its compass".

At the same time, she underlined that unfortunately our Turkish Cypriot fellow citizens are absent from the accession process of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU, despite the fact that the then leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community was invited to participate jointly with the Greek Cypriots in the accession negotiations, a call that was unfortunately rejected.

Demetriou reminded at this point that Cyprus joined the EU with its entire territory, but with the suspension of the implementation of the European acquis in the areas occupied by the Turkish army.

"The peaceful solution of the Cyprus problem, on the basis of the agreed framework and the UN resolutions, remains for all of us an irreversible goal of key importance, so that all citizens of Cyprus – Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins – can enjoy the benefits deriving from EU accession in conditions of freedom and peace, a goal that runs counter to the intransigence and unacceptable positions of the Turkish side on a two-state solution, in violation of international law and outside the agreed parameters of the United Nations," she added.

In addition, the President of the House of Representatives said that two decades later, "we are in a position to be proud that Cyprus has made spectacular progress in various areas of the daily life of the European citizen."

"The peaceful solution of the Cyprus problem, on the basis of the agreed framework and the UN resolutions, remains for all of us an irreversible goal of primary importance, so that all citizens of Cyprus – Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins – can enjoy the benefits deriving from EU accession in conditions of freedom and peace, a goal that runs counter to the intransigence and unacceptable positions of the Turkish side on a two-state solution, in violation of international law and outside the agreed parameters of the United Nations," she added.

In addition, the President of the Parliament said that two decades later, "we are in a position to be proud that Cyprus has made spectacular progress in various areas of the daily life of the European citizen".

An equally important condition, Demetriou said, for the realization of the EU's long-term goals is the strengthening of its geopolitical role.

"In this context, now more than ever, it is necessary to safeguard the autonomy of the Union and its independence from external and imponderable factors. The achievement of strategic autonomy should not remain a theoretical scheme, but should be translated into practical initiatives, primarily by creating a common European defence capable of contributing decisively to the prevention of geopolitical conflicts," she added.

Demetriou noted that the events currently unfolding in the Middle East, a region located in Europe's neighborhood, leave no room for inaction.

"It is therefore imperative that the European Union takes a leading role, not only because of its geographical proximity to the Middle East, but also because developments, beyond their immediate humanitarian impact, tend to trigger a wider regional conflict. The current regional conflicts have led to the exacerbation of an already existing crisis that has already been talked about: migration, which has now become one of the most serious challenges for the EU and which rightly concerns Cyprus as a frontline country".

Furthermore, Cyprus aspires to contribute substantially to the energy independence of the Union and to become an energy hub of peace in the wider Mediterranean region.

Through the country's excellent relations with the states of the Eastern Mediterranean that have hydrocarbon reserves, conditions of lasting security and prosperity can undoubtedly be built, she said.

The House leader added "as a leading member state in the Union's relations with the countries of the region, the Republic of Cyprus, with the creation of the humanitarian corridor "Amalthea" to Gaza, demonstrated the key role it can play in promoting peace, prosperity and stability.