EU Day comment: Cyprus division an open wound
“REUNIFICATION of Cyprus remains an open wound that needs healing,” said a senior European official during ongoing celebrations staged to mark peace and prosperity in the continent.
Mary McCarthy, director of the European Commission’s Structural Reform Support Service, made the comment last Saturday at an event in Lefkoşa’s Selimiye Square — part of a series of activities across the TRNC to mark May 9’s Europe Day.
On show were stalls from EU member countries and others presenting projects supported by the bloc, entertainment such as Latin, jazz and folk music performances, dance shows, a puppet show, rock climbing, painting and a “kids’ corner”.
Among visitors were “first lady” Meral Akıncı, Economy and Energy Minister Özdil Nami, National Education and Culture Minister Cemal Özyiğit and Lefkoşa Mayor Mehmet Harmancı.
During a brief speech, Ms McCarthy said: “I am very happy to see many of our partners, stakeholders and counterparts with whom we have been implementing the EU Aid Programme in the Turkish Cypriot community for over a decade now.”
Highlighting the EU’s work on projects in North Cyprus including infrastructure, socio-economic development and reconciliation measures aimed at bringing Turkish Cypriots closer to the EU, she said: “Since beginning in 2006, we are proud to have contributed over 480 million euros for the benefit of the Turkish Cypriot community.”
Referring to last year’s 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome and establishment of the European Community, she said the EU had brought “prosperity and opportunities” such as travelling, living and working in other EU countries in addition to contributing to “peace and stability” in the region.
“What seems to be a given today was an elusive dream for previous generations,” she said.
“Looking to the future now and reflecting on goals still to be achieved, the reunification of Cyprus remains an open wound that needs healing.
“It is my personal hope that what the people of France and Germany man- aged to overcome can and should happen here in Cyprus as well.
“Division lines have no place in our Europe and we stand ready, as ever, to assist the Cypriots and their leaders in efforts to bring an end to the division of Cyprus.”
Mr Nami said: “The EU is a peace project and Turkish Cypriots have proved many times that they want to be part of it . . . Turkish Cypriots have taken many steps to play their part in moving towards reunification, including the UN-led Annan Plan. Now it is the EU’s duty to extend more help to Turkish Cypriots who have shown their desire for reunification.”
As 2018 is the European Year of Cultural Heritage, this year’s EU Day celebrations also include musical and cultural events including a concert by the Cyprus Chamber Orchestra that took place in Lefke’s main square on May 15.
The orchestra is also due to perform in a EU & Me concert of classical music at Gazimağusa’s Othello Tower on Tuesday. The free-entry event starts at 8.30pm. To attend, contact the EU Infopoint on (0392) 228 2577 or via info@abbilgi.eu.