How to celebrate Europe Day

EUROPE DAY and the second anniversary of the accession of Cyprus to the European Union are to be celebrated today in a series of special events.

The Union of Cyprus Municipalities, the European Commission Representation and the European Parliament Information Office in Cyprus are supporting and participating in the events being organised by 15 Municipalities.

At the events, local authorities will commemorate May 9, 1950, the day on which the then Foreign Minister of France, Robert Schuman, proposed the creation of a unified Europe.

The programme of events, to be held at town halls, includes addresses by Mayors and Ambassadors of EU member states and acceding countries. Also, a short film on communication between the EU and European citizens will be screened, together with songs on Europe by municipal choirs. The events will be followed by a reception.

Ambassador Eva Hager of Austria, which holds the Presidency of the European Union, is organising a “Caf? Europe” event in Nicosia. Similar events are simultaneously being held in all 25 EU capitals. The event in Nicosia will take place at Flocaf?, Ledra Street.

There will be a debate on Europe with Greek and Turkish Cypriot secondary school students, after which stories will be written by participants, to be forwarded to Brussels. In the afternoon, there will be readings and a debate about Europe by Greek and Turkish Cypriot authors. There will also be a ‘children’s corner’ during which a quiz on the EU will be held, with prizes for the winners offered by the Commission Representation in Cyprus.

President Tassos Papadopoulos, will be attending the formal reception at the Hilton Hotel. Government officials, political leaders, the diplomatic corps and organisations of civil society have been invited to attend.

The European Institute of Cyprus, with the support of the Representation of the European Commission and the European Parliament Information Office, is organising an all-day event, which will take place at the Cyprus International State Fair premises.

During the event, the government will open a public dialogue with citizens on the future of Europe, thus implementing a June 2005 European Council decision. The national dialogue will be launched by the Minister of Foreign Affairs George Iacovou.

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