THE E.U. accession date may be drawing closer, but the public, to a large extent, remains in the dark about the effects that membership will have on their daily life. There is no shortage of stories in the papers about how many businesses will be closing down because of the inability to meet the quality, health and safety standards set by the EU. For instance, many private clinics and more than half the dairy producers will have to close down because they do not meet the high standards set by the EU; the investment necessary for compliance is prohibitive for small firms.
In general, Cyprus’ imminent membership of the EU commands negative publicity in the media. If it were not for the perceived political and security benefits of belonging to the union – the island is no longer considered to be at the mercy of Turkey – many Cypriots would be out on the streets protesting against membership by now. And they would be justified. Harmonisation has meant the end of state subsidies and protectionism combined with spiralling prices, as businesses try to cope with constantly rising costs. The prices of heating fuel and diesel have doubled in the last couple of years, affecting both businesses and individuals, not to mention the imposition of a15 per cent VAT rate.
But what are the advantages, apart from increased security? Nobody seems to know, because the government has not thought it necessary to sell EU membership to the public. As all the political parties supported membership, the government assumed organised groups would not raise any major objections to joining the Union. It was a correct calculation, but even if there is broad public support for joining, this is no excuse for keeping people in the dark as regards the hundreds of changes that Cypriot society would undergo after May 1.
Hundreds of new harmonisation laws have been passed through summary procedures over the last couple of years, most had not even been read by the deputies who approved them. Yet these laws will change life in Cyprus, as we have known it, creating new opportunities as well as problems. But without being informed about them, how are people expected to cope when the changes take force? Will we all wake up on May 2 and behave like model EU citizens, aware of our rights, our obligations and the new legal framework in which we will have to work?
To make matters worse, not even the government departments seem to know very much about the new EU laws. A Cyprus Mail reporter, who attempted to find out how car taxation would be affected after membership, was given the same answer – “we do not know” – from three government departments that should have known. This is why it is essential to establish a central government agency, which would help out government departments (until officials become familiar with the new laws and regulations), businesses and individuals. Another agency should undertake the production of information leaflets and booklets on all the important issues. The establishment of an EU Advisory Bureau in all towns might also be a solution.
One thing is certain – the government cannot expect Cypriots to become EU citizens next May, without having a clue what this means. People need to be informed.
