CYPRUS: Uludag and Christofides receive european citizen's prize

An award ceremony for the 2014 European Citizen's Prize in honour of the Turkish Cypriot journalist Sevgül UludaÃ„Ÿ and the Greek Cypriot poet Mihalis Hristofidis will be organised by the European Parliament Office in Cyprus on Friday, 30 January 2015 at 11 am, at the EU House. The ceremony includes a brief introduction to the Prize and the winners.

The two Cypriot winners were proposed by MEP Takis Hadjigeorgiou (GUE) and MEP Neoklis Sylikiotis (GUE) for their contribution to the rapprochement of the two communities in Cyprus. The MEPs have pointed out that ''both winners work for a free island and for the implementation of human rights without discrimination" and that ''their example can be a shining beacon to guide Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, illuminate Europe and make the world more humane."

The brief interventions by the Members and the winners will be followed by a reception. On the 25th and 26th February 2015, an official ceremony will take place in Brussels where all 47 winners from all Member States will be invited.

There will be interpretation in Turkish, English and Greek.

The Award was established in 2008 as a reward for outstanding achievements of citizens, groups, associations or organisations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment in the promotion of a better mutual understanding and a closer integration between the citizens of the Member States and to facilitate the cross-border or supranational cooperation, within the EU. These achievements may also include activities or citizens' actions involved in a long-term, cross-border or supranational cultural cooperation, which contributes to the strengthening of the European spirit.

Each MEP is able to make one nomination per year. A National Jury is established in each Member State, responsible for the selection of the proposed candidates, and the final selection of the winners is made by the European Citizen's Prize Chancellery chaired by the EP President.