Cypriot candidates ready for upcoming EP elections

A networking event regarding European Parliament (EP) elections was held on Thursday, 23rd May by the Human Rights Platform and KTOS.

The theme of the event was the importance of the upcoming EP elections on the unresolved Cyprus problem that has been ongoing for 60 years despite the efforts of the United Nations (UN) and leaders of both sides.

6 MEP candidates (2 Turkish Cypriot, 4 Greek Cypriot) have shown attendance to the event at Rustem Kitabevi. Niyazi Kizilyurek from AKEL, Sophia Vassiliou, Lysia Demetriou, Hulusi Kilim, Nikolas Kyriakou, and Andromachi Sophocleous from VOLT each were given 2 minutes of speech time.

Speeches were given by the 5 VOLT candidates with the common message of united Cyprus within a united Europe. Use of Turkish greetings at the opening of Greek Cypriot candidates’ speeches has received positive attention.

British High Commissioner to Cyprus Irfan Siddiq, Political-Economic Officer from US Embassy Sandy Snider-Pugh, Policy Officer from the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands Nicosia Georgios Andrioris, as well as local deputies, NGO members, and members of the public, were present at the event.

Derya Beyatli, Director of Human Rights Platform and Burak Mavis, General Secretary of KTOS emphasised the importance of finding a solution in the island and using votes in this election.

Beyatli informed the attendees that the Human Rights Platform has shared the information of the locations of polling stations set for the Turkish Cypriot voters as well as public transport arrangements available through contact on social media. Beyatli reminded that there will be volunteers to guide Turkish Cypriots to the polling stations and inform on how to cast valid votes on the elections and Human Rights Platform is still accepting volunteers.

Read This: Thousands warned to evacuate blazing California wildfire

Mayor of the Nicosia Turkish Municipality, Mehmet Harmanci in his speech reminded the decisions of the European Union (EU) taken back on 26th April 2004 to “put an end to the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community and to facilitate the reunification of Cyprus by encouraging the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community” which were not acted upon.

Derya Beyatli also presented the first ever Turkish dubbed and subtitled EP elections video with thanks to the European Parliament Office in Cyprus.

The video link :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvTqfvOX1P0&ab_channel=EuropeanParliamentOfficeinCyprus

Voice Cyprus News-2024