The power of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of EU in 2026 will be its people said the Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, at the Discussion Forum of the European Youth Parliament (EYP) Cyprus, on Saturday.
The event took place in Nicosia and aimed at youth participation in the upcoming European elections.
In her address, Raouna noted that the EU can, and must, play a catalytic role in reunifying its last divided EU member state.
She highlighted that this year marks the 20 year-anniversary of Cyprus joining the EU, and underlined that Cyprus will be assuming in the first half of 2026, for the second time since its accession, the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, and will be responsible for driving forward the Council’s work and advancing the European project.
Regarding the upcoming European elections, the Deputy Minister said that young people represent 25% of Europe’s population and the European Union has long been committed to investing in the limitless po
tential of its youth, recognizing the pivotal role young people can play in shaping the future of our continent.
She added that the Government, and President Christodoulides himself personally, are deeply committed to promoting youth rights, noting that the governance program includes a distinct pillar dedicated to the young generation, aimed at empowering youth, safeguarding youth rights and freedoms, providing the young generation with more opportunities, and actively and effectively promoting young people’s role in consultation processes and in the decision-making bodies.
In this regard, she said, several initiatives are underway by the Government. She noted that the current year has been declared as the National Year of Youth, with all Ministries actively promoting actions in favour of young people, with a view to boost their civic participation. Examples of action towards achieving this goal include reinforcing the channels of communication with citizens, through a dedicated digital tool for non-bindin
g referenda, as well as a specific platform specifically addressed to youth. Furthermore, the Government intends, during the current year, to submit a bill to the House of Representatives proposing to reduce the minimum voting age from 18 to 17.
Referring to the visit of the President of the European Parliament in Cyprus on Monday, she said that it ties perfectly with the discussions held during the event, which the President of the European Parliament will continue during her visit.
She added that the Government has adopted targeted measures, aiming to maintain and expand the increasing trend of voter participation, especially of young people, in the upcoming elections, with the use of technology to allow online registration in the electoral roll specifically for young people aged 18-25. It has also further strengthened the participation of Turkish Cypriot voters through information campaigns, encouraging registration in electoral rolls and participation, Raouna added.
Furthermore, the Deputy Minister for
European Affairs said that she is tasked with the overall political supervision and coordination, in cooperation with all line Ministers, of the preparation and implementation of Cyprus’ Presidency. She noted that the Presidency will be a big challenge, but underlined that “the power of the Cyprus Presidency will be its people”.
Source: Cyprus News Agency