Europe Direct Information Centre inaugurated

Cyprus Government Spokesman Vasilis Palmas inaugurated the Europe Direct Centre which aims to inform Cypriot citizens, both Greek and Turkish Cypriots, about the policies of the EU and the benefits from Cyprus’ membership to the EU.
The Europe Direct is located in the premises of the European Institute of Cyprus (EIC) in Nicosia and will cover the Districts of Nicosia, Larnaca and Famagusta, while it will also inform the Turkish Cypriots.
Palmas said that ”the real threat to Europe is not Euro skepticism but the indifference which must be tackled by the only available means, communication.”
”Today, when the communicative aspect of the EU is more substantive than ever, every new information point which can give useful answers to the citizens is welcomed and absolutely useful,” he added.
Palmas noted that the Cypriot government attributing particular importance to the timely and accurate information of the citizens on European issues firmly supported this initiative of the European Commission for the creation of Europe Direct Centres.
Addressing the ceremony, EIC Director Neofytos Chrysohos said that the Centre aims to bring the European development and the European institutions as closer as possible to the Cypriot citizens.
He said that this necessity is outlined vividly in the Eurobarometre of December 2006, which showed that only 38 per cent of the Cypriots believe that their voice counts in the EU, while a mere 8% of the Cypriots, the lowest percentage in the EU, feels that they have active participation in the EU.
Head of the European Commission Representation in Cyprus Themis Themistocleous outlined the Commission’s commitment to heed the European citizens’ views when formulating EU polices, underlying the need for information of EU citizens on the development and policies of Europe.
”An informed citizen, we hope, will be an active citizen,” he added.
In his address, Cyprus Press and Information Office Director Yiannakis Solomou urged Cypriot Citizens to visit Europe Direct and receive information about European institutions, policies and the benefits stemming from EU accession.
He added that with its expertise, EIC is an important partner of the European Commission and the Cypriot government in the efforts for the improvement and intensification of the campaign to inform the Cypriots about the EU.