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Cyprus has always been Europe, a handsome publication consisting of a number of authoritative articles by experts on various aspects of the history of Cyprus, shows convincingly that the island has always been part of the European family of nations.
From antiquity, when the Achaean Greeks arrived between the 13th and 11th centuries BC, and gave the island its Greek character, Cyprus has remained within the European civilization, despite a number of conquests by non-Europeans throughout its long history. This was to be expected since European civilization is itself grounded on Greco-Roman civilization and the values of democracy, freedom and justice.
Immediately after gaining its independence, the Republic of Cyprus became the 16th member of the Council of Europe (CoE), on 24 May 1961, and it participates in all its bodies and organs, including the Parliamentary Assembly. Cyprus has always contributed actively to the implementation of the Council's principles and values, particularly in the field of safeguarding and promoting of human and social rights. Cypriot experts participate in most of the Council's specialized Committees and their contribution has been widely acknowledged.
Cyprus has assumed the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the top executive body of the Council, five times, during the periods: 24 April - 11 December 1967, 6 May - 28 November 1974, 28 April - 24 November 1983, 10 November 1994 - 11 May 1995 and 22 November 2016 - 19 May 2017.
During the Cypriot Chairmanship of 10 November 1994 to 11 May 1995, the Committee of Ministers dealt with major issues, such as ensuring democratic security through the accession of new members to the Organisation and the effective implementation of the commitments undertaken by the member-states upon accession to the Organisation. The institutionalized dialogue between the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) was also initiated at the level of the Presidency and General Secretariat of the two Organizations as a result of a Cypriot initiative adopted at the OSCE Summit in Budapest, in December 1994.
It should be noted that Cyprus is one of the 35 signatory states of the Final Act concluded in Helsinki in 1975, and was an active participant in the process of the then Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE), which on 1 January 1995 became an international organization under the name of Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Since the conception of the CSCE in the early 1970's, Cyprus had contributed in making the CSCE a process of common European progress.
Cyprus assumed the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe again from 22 November 2016 until 19 May 2017. The Cypriot Chairmanship set out as the focus of its priorities the protection of cultural heritage, an area in which Cyprus is highly sensitized and active on the international level, due to its own historical experience. Cyprus has thus played a leading role in promoting the signing, in Nicosia, of the Convention on Offenses Related to Cultural Property, which will be the legal instrument for the support of collective efforts to combat the financing of terrorism through the illicit trafficking of cultural property.
In this context, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, addressing the opening of the 127th Summit of the Committee of Ministers of the CoE on May 19, 2017, stated that today, the efforts of the Cypriot Chairmanship bear fruits with the opening for signature, here in Nicosia, of the Convention on Offenses Related to Cultural Property, also underlining the immense importance attached by the Republic of Cyprus to the Council of Europe as the guardian of the common principles and values of its member states. I hope and believe, he concluded, that Cyprus' Chairmanship has demonstrated Cyprus' deep commitment to the Council of Europe's vision to uphold and safeguard peace, democracy, prosperity, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all on the European continent.
As a result, the election of the Cypriot Member of Parliament Mrs Stella Kyriakides as President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on 10 October 2017, was a great honour for the House of Representatives and the Republic of Cyprus in general. The election of Mrs Kyriakides to the highest elected office of the PACE - the second organ constituted by the Statute of the CoE demonstrates that, despite its small size, Cyprus can achieve much in the field of diplomacy.
On 1st May 2004 Cyprus acceded to the European Union (EU). This accession has been viewed as a natural development dictated by its history, culture, civilization and overall European outlook. It is a turning point in the history of the island and its people that will determine its destiny for generations to come.
As the then President of the Republic of Cyprus, Tassos Papadopoulos, stated on the accession day [1st May 2004]: This moment signals a momentous milestone in Cyprus' history. It is the second most important historic landmark after the proclamation of the Republic of Cyprus 44 years ago. This moment marks the successful conclusion of a long effort and the hopeful beginning of a new course and a new era for Cyprus. As from this moment, the Republic of Cyprus formally becomes a Member of the European Union. It becomes a full, integral and inseparable member of the great European family.
It is in this spirit that Cyprus has engaged in this new era that has opened hopeful horizons for its people, who view the new challenges not as a threat but as a historic wager which can and must be won for Cyprus to realize its full potential in the European milieu.
Cypriots have been working hard to fully harmonize their institutions and society with the European state of affairs, adopting its best practices and attributes while abandoning anachronistic attitudes and habits where they still exist. Based on their civilization and historical heritage, Cypriots have been reshaping and modernizing structures and institutions within the EU framework, utilizing effectively new mechanisms and applying innovative ideas to transform their country and build a promising future for the coming generations.
Cypriots are confident that, despite its small size, Cyprus is able to contribute actively and creatively to attaining Europe's goals, in the 21st century, a major goal being the transformation of Europe into a great area of peace, security and stability.
Geographically, Cyprus finds itself at the crossroads of three continents and major civilizations. Historically, it has always been a point of commerce as well as cultural exchange and cooperation among the peoples of the eastern Mediterranean region. Cypriots feel that their country should continue to play this role today from within the EU. The people of Cyprus also feel that they can consistently and prudently continue to build a relationship of trust and cooperation which will further European interests in the broader region, while serving, at the same time, the hopes and expectations of the neighbouring countries and of Cyprus itself, which stands to gain significant political and economic advantages.
A milestone in the long-term relationship between Cyprus and Europe was the assumption by Cyprus, for the first time, of the Presidency of the Council of the EU, from 1st July to 31st December 2012, as part of the Poland, Denmark and Cyprus Trio Presidency.
The Cyprus Presidency had set as its vision from the outset to make every possible effort to work Towards a Better Europe through the improvement of the effectiveness of the EU policies and the enhancement of development, solidarity and social cohesion within the Union.
In this context, four priorities were set: a) a more efficient and sustainable Europe, b) a Europe with a better performing and growth-oriented economy, c) a Europe more relevant to its citizens, with solidarity and social cohesion and d) a Europe in the world, closer to its neighbours.
Admittedly, the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union has been successful. Among the results achieved, were the historic agreement reached with the European Parliament on the Unitary Patent Package and the agreement in the Council of the EU on the Single Supervisory Mechanism. The Presidency made significant efforts to advance negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework and prepared the ground for the President of the European Council and the Heads of State and Government so as to come closer to reaching an agreement. Furthermore, significant progress was achieved on the issue of the Common European Asylum System.
Furthermore, aiming at deepening the Internal Market, the Cyprus Presidency achieved substantial progress in all the remaining actions of the Single Market Act I, completing five of them. In addition, another significant success of the Cyprus Presidency was the reenergization of the Integrated Maritime Policy of the European Union through the Limassol Declaration.
As a result, the leaders of the European Institutions recognized that Cyprus, despite its small size, managed to fully meet its obligations and the challenges of an EU Presidency.
For all the right reasons, Cyprus looks ahead with optimism and honours its historic contract of integration with the European Union with creative vision, unstinting effort and methodical action, despite the difficulties that emerge on the way. Taking heart from its European heritage, as this volume shows, and firmly grounded in the same principles and traditions as their European partners, the people of Cyprus have already embarked on a new and promising era in their long and often troubled history. They are convinced that their sacrifices and struggles will eventually be vindicated and rewarded.
As a full member of the EU, Cyprus has been working constructively with its partners to complete the noble and ambitious project of European unification and integration. A significant development in that direction was the entry of Cyprus into the Eurozone and the adoption of the euro as its official currency as of 1st January 2008.
Another important development is also the proclamation of Pafos as the European Capital of Culture for 2017, along with the city of Aarhus in Denmark. This institution aims at highlighting the richness and diversity of cultures in Europe, showcasing the cultural characteristics shared by Europeans, strengthening the sense of European citizenship as belonging to a common cultural space and highlighting the contribution of culture to the development of cities. Undertaking and organising the most important cultural institution in the history of Europe is a great opportunity for Pafos and Cyprus to promote Cypriot culture as an integral part of the European multicultural identity.
At the same time, Cyprus continues to seek, with great determination, a comprehensive settlement to the artificial division imposed by force of arms on the island and its people by Turkey since 1974. A viable and lasting settlement that will reunite Cyprus and reintegrate its people, its economy and institutions, so that all Cypriots can enjoy together the benefits and meet the challenges of EU membership.
As a full member of the European Union since 2004, Cyprus naturally seeks and expects European solidarity for a just and fair solution to the Cyprus problem, which will bring stability and prosperity to a reunited Cyprus, serve the legitimate interests of its people and respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Cypriots.
The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, has repeatedly declared his sincere commitment to work with courage and determination for a solution which will safeguard the EU values and principles throughout the island, with united Cyprus being an effective EU member state and an important and stabilizing regional actor in the Eastern Mediterranean that can utilize to the utmost its unique and privileged geographical position - a bridge between Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia - particularly in light of the developments in the area of energy taking place in the Eastern Mediterranean.