Mr. Alecos Michaelides on the Launching of the Socrates Programme

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

Mr. Alecos Michaelides to the Launching of the Socrates Programme

It is with great pleasure that I share with you this important moment of the opening of the Socrates programme launching conference in Cyprus.

I wish to welcome the representatives of the European Commission, representatives of the Socrates' International Agencies from Austria, Greece and the Netherlands and to thank them for presenting this Programme and sharing their experiences with their Cypriot colleagues.

Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen

The conclusions of the Commission opinion on the application for membership by the Republic of Cyprus start as follows:

Cyprus's geographical position, the deep-lying bonds which, for two thousand years, have located the island at the very fount of European culture and civilisation, the identity of the European influence apparent in the values shared by the people of Cyprus and in the conduct of the cultural, political, economic and social life of its citizens, the wealth of its contacts of every kind with the Community, all these confer on Cyprus, beyond all doubt, its European identity and character and confirm its vocation to belong to the Community.

The Opinion does not merely state that Cyprus is eligible for accession to the Union, but also underlines that Cyprus throughout its turbulent history, that brought to it successive conquerors as a consequence of its geostratigical position, has retained its character and culture, not underestimating its own contribution to what we recognise now as the European character and culture.

There is a third dimension to expressed in the Opinion which underlines the important reality that the European Union is not merely an association of countries which proceed in promoting their economic integration. The European Union reflects also the common culture, the common characteristics of the social life of its citizens and of course the share values among the Europeans.

Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the European Union has attached great importance to the educational programmes which cover a broad area referring to culture, knowledge and education.

Ladies and Gentlemen

The Government of Cyprus, realising the paramount importance of the educational programmes adopted by the Community, has been extremely interested in participating in the programmes Socrates, Leonardo and Youth for Europe. This request was discussed extensively in the framework of the European Union-Cyprus Association Council.

For us, participation in these programmes, means contributing to the development of the idea of the European dimension of education, thus bringing Cyprus closer to the Union. Because the Community of Europe is based not only on common political, economic and strategic interests, but also on common values and ideals which are cultivated through programmes such as Socrates, which facilitate Europe-wide cultural and educational mobility both for young people as well as their teachers.

The values that have been binding Cyprus with its European neighbours since antiquity, from a historical, ideological and cultural point of view, are being developed today through co-operation, understanding and communication provided by the actions such as those underpinning the Socrates programme.

The Paneuropean dimension of the Community educational and youth programmes, most of which extend beyond the present frontiers of the Union, is also illustrated by the Union's decision of December 1994 which approved Cyprus' participation in the Socrates, Leonardo and Youth for Europe programmes. This decision was reconfirmed by the common resolution of the Association Council on 12 June 1995.

Our participation in programmes, such as the one being launched today, accelerates our natural course towards the Union and enables the interaction between the two parties, leading to Cyprus' smoother integration into the Community.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a common belief that youth is the hope for the future. Investing in their development, proves the strength of commitment for a better future for our people, for Europe and for a world of prosperity and higher quality of life. This can only exist in a world of peace and global co-operation.

This is why we consider the Socrates programme, which aims at the development of quality education, a matter of significant contribution to the construction of a promising European future.

By participating to this programme, we aspire to make our contribution and play our role in the development of quality education for the youth of Europe, by promoting mutual understanding, communication and co-operation among the peoples of Europe.

The aim of the programme, that is, to promote teaching and learning about the cultures, traditions and languages of the European countries will bring about a deeper understanding of political, economic, social and administrative issues of the Union and contribute to the development of transnational co-operation and exchanges of experience.

Taken into account that the problem of unemployment is one of the most serious facing young people - one out of five unemployed is under 25 years old - programmes such as this one, offer another opportunity to the young people to sharpen their skills and improve their knowledge, preparing them to enter the labour market.

Such programmes also offer young people an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the accelerating pace of technological change. In this way, they can take advantage of the new opportunities available rather than become victims of the rapid technological developments.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The programme being launched in Cyprus today, bears the symbolic name Socrates, the name of a Greek philosopher. Socrates is considered as the founder of the western philosophy.

His precept "know thyself" and the methods he used to help his students to discover the truth, have inspired the founding fathers of the Community education and youth programmes. Referring to Socrates, it is important to highlight not merely the principles, values and ideas he promoted. It is also important to note that in the heart of Socratic philosophy is the word dialogue or in today's language communication. Naturally, communication implies interaction between people.

The Socratic method will be a good way to discover the real bonds uniting the peoples of Europe and lead to a better world of understanding and co-operation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

During the French presidency we tried to promote the setting up of a time schedule for the commencement of accession negotiations. We explained that the reason for this request was because that the accession process would become a catalyst for bringing an end to the Cyprus problem. We considered the commencement of the process a clear invitation and signal to the Turkish Cypriots to cooperate in bringing an end to the division of our land and our people and thus share the benefits of accession.

We never thought that the invitation to join the European Union would be without effort and hard work. We have been praised by all those we had the opportunity to meet during the structure dialogue because have appreciated the hard work we have done for the earliest possible harmonisation with the European Acquis.

Furthermore, we never asked any country to commit itself as to how it will cast its vote when the moment comes for the accession of Cyprus to the European Union. Please let me also add that the decisions of the competent body, the European Council, have been very clear and became even clearer because they have been reconfirmed on a number of occasions.

Turkey reacted violently against the prospect of Cyprus joining the European Union, because they realised that if they continue their totally negative policy regarding the efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem, they would deprive the Turkish Cypriots from sharing the benefits of accession.

Such development would be totally undesirable because we hope and aspire to become members of the Union but our highest priority to solve the Cyprus problem, reuniting our country and our people.

After the Council's decisions a new phenomenon has been experienced. Different people found it necessary with statements endowed with a lot of a diplomatic artistry. They convey messages that could be misinterpreted by the Turkish side as being reservations about the prospects of accession.

This is very unfortunate because instead of giving the full opportunity to these important Council decisions for the opening of accession negotiations, such statements tend to create confusion that could give the impression to the Turkish side that the process would not necessarily be concluded in the desired way. We cannot understand the logic of these statements, because if some have concerns about the non-solution of the Cyprus problem for 22 years they should give the opportunity to the decision of the competent body of the European Union regarding the commencement of the accession negotiations to work. If they are less creative in finding words that would be open to different interpretations or foster doubts about the Cyprus' prospects, they would give the whole process an opportunity to become a real catalyst.

Our commitment remains unchanged. We have embarked on the great mission to join the European Union. We have the important decision for the commencement of accession negotiations six months after the conclusion of the IGC.

We consider this decision as opening for us new opportunities and presenting new challenges. We work hard to be ready for the great moment Cyprus becomes a member of the Union.

Thus, harmonisation for us is a top priority. We have stated time and again that the period between now and the commencement of accession negotiation provides a unique opportunity for solving the Cyprus problem and thus, when the great moment comes to commence accession negotiations, then all the people of Cyprus together will embark on this challenge.

If the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community wishes to waste time by putting unrealistic conditions, such as that we guarantee to him that Turkey will also become a member of the Union and other similar totally unrealistic demands, then, unfortunately, they will deprive themselves this great opportunity.

It is exactly for this reason that we aspire that this interim period is the time to solve the Cyprus problem, that we welcome all efforts and all initiatives that are expressed, aiming at bringing an end to the Cyprus problem.

With these thoughts, please allow me once again to welcome our guests to Cyprus and wish you a very successful Conference.

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