Cyprus President inaugurates EU House in Nicosia

Cypriot President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos inaugurated Friday the European Union House in Nicosia, describing it as a place for acquaintance and familiarization of the European citizen of Cyprus with the Community institutions, the activities and the policies of the EU.
The EU House in Nicosia will house the offices of the Commission and the European Parliament.
The ceremony was also attended by House President Demetris Christofias, European Union Health Commissioner Marcos Kyprianou, Euro MPs and EU officials, Head of the Representation of the EU Commission in Cyprus Themis Themistocleous, head of the European Parliament Office in Cyprus Tasos Georgiou, ministers, ambassadors, Cypriot deputies and other officials.
In his speech, the Cypriot President stressed that the EU has a say and a role in the efforts to find a solution to a problem that beleaguers one of its member states, namely the Cyprus issue.
“Unavoidably, the Cyprus problem has a European dimension”, he said, but added that the solution is sought in the framework of the United Nations.
The President underlined that the quality of this solution, its functionality and viability cannot be far away from the fundamental principles and values on which the European Union is based and functions.
He reiterated that the Republic of Cyprus insists on a workable and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, and as specified in repeated decisions of the EU a solution must be based on the principles and values of the Union.
President Papadopoulos said that the big European Union edifice houses many hopes and aspirations of the Cypriot people for an end to their long tragedy and for the reunification of the forcibly divided country.
“It also serves as a reminder that the EU recognizes only one state in Cyprus, the Republic of Cyprus, in which all the functionaries of the EU are accredited, one state which with perseverance and consistency insists and looks forward to the reunification of the state, the society, the economy and the institutions”, he added.
Referring to the EU House, he said that the Cypriot EU citizen can gain free access to information about the big family, to which he belongs historically, politically, geographically and culturally and to be briefed on all EU issues, his rights and obligations.
The main objective, he added, is to transform this information and updating into active participation in European affairs and to encourage the intervention of citizens in European affairs.
Referring to the EU Constitution that has been rejected by two countries, he said that regardless of the result of the referenda, the fact remains that every decision, every Directive, every piece of legislation of the EU, cannot bypass the citizen nor ignore him.
In a recorded message shown during the ceremony, President of the European Parliament Hans Goert Poettering referred to the significance of the EU House in Nicosia, noting that the choice of building provides easy access to both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
Vice President of the European Commission, Commissioner for Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy Margot Wallstrom, in a recorded message, expressed the hope that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots as well as other EU citizens, will gather at the EU House for gatherings, noting that the work of EU House employees is to promote an open and transparent Europe.
Quaestor of the European Parliament James Nicholson described the EU House as the most beautiful building in the EU member states.
Speaking on behalf of the German Presidency of the EU, Ambassador of Germany to Cyprus Dr. Rolf Kaiser congratulated those responsible for the choice of building and said all EU citizens will be able to obtain information from the EU House in Nicosia.
In his speech, EU Commissioner for Health Marcos Kyprianou expressed the hope that the EU House will become a bridge of communication for the citizens with European institutions. “I hope that the citizens of Cyprus will feel that the EU House is their house because…Cyprus is an inextricable part of Europe”, he added.
In their speeches, both the Head of Representation of the European Commission Themis Themistocleous and the Head of the European Parliament Office Tasos Georgiou stressed the prospects and possibilities that derive from the fact that both representations are housed in the same building and expressed the hope that from this day on, the EU House will officially become the House of EU citizens in Cyprus.
Before the opening ceremony, actress Jenny Gaitanopoullou recited a speech entitled “Princess Europa gives her name to Europe” at the sound of drums.
After the inauguration of the European Union House by the President of the Republic, an exhibition of photos of the signing of the Treaty of Rome, other EU milestones and the accession of Cyprus was held.