Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides expressed optimism on Friday that there could be developments in the framework of efforts for a Cyprus settlement, emphasizing the importance of a solution with a view to avoid the permanent presence of Turkey on the island.
Speaking during the “Consultation Day with the Cypriot Youth Parliament” held at the Presidential Palace, Christodoulides engaged with young representatives on several issues, including education reforms, military service for women, and democratic engagement.
In response to a Youth Parliament member’s question about the Cyprus problem, Christodoulides underlining his commitment to finding a solution.
“I truly believe something can be done,” he said, adding that failure to resolve the issue will mean Turkey’s permanent presence on the island.
The President advocated for a bizonal, bicommunal federation aligned with United Nations resolutions, stressing the need to gain the support of major international plays to this end.
“It is with great pleasure that I participate in and welcome the “Day of Public Consultation with Children” for the year 2024. We place particular importance on consultation with all of you. The Cypriot Children’s Parliament is a highly successful institution within our student community and represents a very serious and meaningful platform for expressing opinions and, most importantly, for the communication of the student youth, through their representatives, with the Executive Authority.
Over time, the work of the Committees, and of the Children’s Parliament in general, addresses key issues of student life and the everyday reality of young people in Cyprus. I must say, with great pride, and I want to emphasise this, that the work being carried out is characterised by seriousness, responsibility, and a proper approach and understanding of the issues you are called upon to address.
From our side, as the Government, our constant concern and main priority overall is to engage and communicate with the entirety of Cypriot society. We genuinely want to listen to the citizens of our country; we want them to participate, to engage politically in a mature and responsible manner. To achieve this, which is our fundamental aim, we take specific initiatives and actions to effectively promote participatory democracy, so that citizens truly have a voice and a role in decision-making processes and in the governance of the country.”
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
Christodoulides outlined plans to implement all-day schooling countrywide by 2028, alongside initiatives to cultivate democratic values among students starting in 2025. He added that these steps aim to prepare youth for active citizenship, regardless of pending legislation to lower the voting age to 17.
The President also announced incentives for voluntary military service for women, reflecting broader efforts to enhance inclusivity within the National Guard.
On the issue of voting rights, Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou said that legislation lowering the voting age to 17 and enabling automatic voter registration was ready for parliamentary approval. Ioannou urged Youth Parliament members to advocate for timely legislative action, to achieve implementation before the 2026 parliamentary elections.
During the event, Youth Parliament Speaker Giorgos Efraim Christofi highlighted the importance of youth participation in policymaking. Presenting their memorandum, the young representatives called for reforms such as having psychologists in every school, the introduction of social workers, and the expansion of all-day school. They also praised government efforts to lower the voting age and proposed workshops to enhance political literacy.
Citizen’s Commissioner Panayiotis Palates emphasized the importance of democracy and youth engagement in policymaking, fostering dialogue to build a more inclusive society.
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Source: CNA/EAN/TNE/MK/2024
