[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 156 (Tuesday, November 13, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2057-E2058]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING MR. ROMANO PRODI, PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, AND HIS 
             REMARKS TO THE CYPRUS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 13, 2001

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, on October 25, Romano Prodi, President of 
the European Commission, spoke before the plenary of the Cyprus House 
of Representatives while on a two-day official visit to Cyprus.
  During his speech, Mr. Prodi stated that Cyprus will join the EU and 
will be among the first candidate countries to do so. As a strong 
advocate of Cyprus' accession to the European Union, I believe that 
Cyprus' accession would be good for the stability of the region, as 
well as for the prospects for serious and good faith negotiations 
between the parties in Cyprus.
  To that end, I am honored to submit for the Congressional Record the 
introduction and text of Mr. Prodi's historic speech to the Cyprian 
House of Representatives.

        Introductory Statement of the President of the House of 
               Representatives, Mr. Demetris Christofias

       It is with particular pleasure and great excitement that I 
     have the privilege to welcome to the House of Representatives 
     of the Republic of Cyprus the President of the European 
     Commission Mr. Romano Prodi.
       Mr. Romano Prodi is a distinguished personality of 
     international calibre who has associated his name with the 
     steady furtherance of the cause of European integration. At 
     the helm of the European Commission since 1999 the systematic 
     and principled culture on his part of the European voice 
     effuses common values, beliefs and civilization originating 
     from our common European heritage.
       Your visit to Cyprus, Mr. President, is taking place at 
     difficult times which humanity is experiencing in a tragic 
     way today. It is comforting to note that with your firm 
     positions you have struck the right note and given the right 
     way of addressing terrorism by making clear that the reaction 
     of the international community, with which the Cyprus 
     Republic has aligned itself against terrorism, is not a war 
     against cultures or a conflict of religions. It is imperative 
     that the European Union oppose a united world of peace, 
     democracy, equality, prosperity and international 
     understanding and solidarity with Man in its epicentre 
     against every sort of terrorists.
       The Cyprus Republic believing unwaveringly in the future of 
     Europe continues its efforts firmly and decisively for the 
     harmonization of its national legislation with the acquis 
     communautaire. The Cyprus Parliament plays its own part and 
     faces with responsibility as a first priority the 
     harmonization process. Our progress in our accession 
     negotiations is due to a great extent to the common effort of 
     all the political powers in Cyprus but also to the general 
     support offered by public opinion. These efforts made by 
     Cyprus but also the proven dedication to democratic 
     institutions and European ideals and principles are 
     acknowledged and clearly recorded in the latest progress 
     report by the European Commission on Cyprus.
       As regards the process for the solution of the Cyprus 
     problem, I would like to emphatically stress that the 
     President of the Republic participates with the support of 
     the National Council in the effort under the auspices of the 
     UN Secretary-General with all goodwill for the solution of 
     the problem on the basis of United Nations Resolutions and 
     the High Level Agreements. I would like to underline that our 
     expectation is that a united Cyprus join the European Union. 
     I would like at the same time, however, to point out that our 
     will must not be misinterpreted. It is not possible for 
     Cyprus to accept the absurd demands made by Turkey and the 
     Turkish occupation leader Mr. Denktash which are followed by 
     threats. Especially his unrealistic claim for a direct or an 
     indirect recognition of the occupation regime as a state 
     entity just to reach a settlement to the Cyprus problem.
       I would like to avail myself of the opportunity of your 
     presence here, Mr. President, to express the warmest thanks 
     on behalf of the Cyprus people for the firm promotion by the 
     European Commission of the provision of the Helsinki Summit 
     decision which envisages that the solution of the Cyprus 
     problem is not a prerequisite for the accession of Cyprus to 
     the European Union as well as for the conviction that Cyprus 
     will become a member of the European Union during the first 
     wave of enlargement.
       With these few thoughts, Mr. President of the European 
     Commission, I welcome you once again to the Cyprus 
     Parliament.


    SPEECH BY MR. ROMANO PRODI, PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

       In these changing and difficult times, I was particularly 
     moved at being invited to speak today to the elected 
     representatives of the people of Cyprus. For democracy is at 
     the heart of our system of government in Europe.
       Democracy is the guarantee not only of human rights and 
     fundamental freedoms but also of security, stability and well 
     being. Especially at the present time, when the international 
     community faces so many challenges.
       The European Union is a community of law and, you, the 
     legislators of Cyprus, are working every day to ensure that 
     your country becomes part of this community and strengthens 
     it.
       This is all the more important in the light of the 
     appalling attacks on the United States on 11 September.
       The European Union has expressed its solidarity with the 
     innocent victims and is contributing vigorously to the fight 
     against terrorism.
       Cyprus, like the other candidates for EU membership, 
     immediately expressed its abhorrence for those attacks and 
     aligned itself with the EU position on terrorism and the 
     operations to eliminate it.
       But deeds are even more important than words. Cyprus has 
     taken practical measures to combat illegal arms sales and 
     transhipments and to freeze funds that might be used to 
     sponsor terrorism. These, and the other steps taken by Cyprus 
     since 11 September, are deeply appreciated in the European 
     Union. Recent events vividly bring to mind the raison d'etre 
     of the enlargement process, and indeed, of the European Union 
     itself.
       The European Union exists to put an end to the conflicts of 
     the past and to bring peace, justice and well being to our 
     peoples.
       It has achieved this to a remarkable extent over almost 
     half a century. Today, peace, justice and well being are 
     steadily being spread throughout Europe as preparations for 
     enlargement go ahead.
       This enlargement will benefit not only the old and new 
     member states but also neighboring countries, with which we 
     have close ties. No new dividing lines will be drawn across 
     our continent. Indeed, each new candidate will bring to the 
     EU its own political, economic, cultural, historical and 
     geographical heritage, thus enriching Europe as a whole.
       Cyprus's own heritage includes a tradition of good public 
     administration, a vibrant economy, the talent and creativity 
     of its people and the close links they have established in 
     the Mediterranean region and beyond.
       The flow of benefits is, of course, reciprocal. The 
     European Union will bring to Cyprus a model of peace and 
     reconciliation, the freedom of the single market and a set of 
     institutions and policies that meet the needs of all member 
     states.
       However, those institutions and policies need redesigning 
     to enable them to

[[Page E2058]]

     meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. Next year, 
     Cyprus--together with the other candidate countries and the 
     existing Member States--will be taking part in a structured 
     debate on our future policies and how best to run the Union. 
     ``Who should do what'' is one of the key questions.
       The debate will lead to a new Inter-Governmental Conference 
     in 2004, and Cyprus will already be invited to join in 
     preparations for that IGC.
       Another key issue in the great debate is how to involve 
     Europe's citizens more closely in designing and implementing 
     European policies. After all, the European Union exists for 
     its citizens and must be built by them.
       In particular, we need their support for enlargement. 
     People naturally fear the unknown, and political leaders 
     (both in existing member states and in the candidate 
     countries) should take time to explain to the general public 
     why enlargement is in everyone's interest.
       It will boost not only economic prosperity but also 
     political security and stability in Europe. We must spell 
     this out to our citizens, who may be perplexed by the 
     technical nature of the accession negotiations.
       Cyprus is advancing well in these negotiations. This is 
     above all a reflection of your own efforts as legislators in 
     putting into place a system of laws containing the same 
     principles and provisions as European Union law.
       Parliament is working expeditiously and your fast-track 
     procedure for transposing EU laws and rules, the ``acquis'', 
     is a model of its kind, on which I congratulate you.
       It is thanks to your efforts, and to the efforts of your 
     government and negotiators, that Cyprus is amongst the 
     frontrunners in the accession process.
       Your country's preparations for membership must continue to 
     be pursued vigorously. A number of politically or technically 
     difficult issues such as taxation, competition, agriculture, 
     justice and home affairs still have to be resolved. Further 
     legislative work must also be done in some fields on which 
     negotiations have been provisionally concluded, such as 
     telecommunications and the free movement of goods.
       We are aware that you are planning a major tax reform, 
     partly aimed at adapting your tax regime to the EU system. We 
     will follow with interest the progress of the reform 
     legislation through this House.
       Of course, passing the necessary laws is not the end of the 
     story: those laws also have to be implemented effectively in 
     each candidate country. Monitoring the candidates' progress 
     in this respect is, of course, the Commission's job. But, as 
     you know, the existing Member States are also closely 
     following this progress, particularly in sensitive areas such 
     as the environment, maritime transport, competition and the 
     prevention of money laundering.
       I am personally very pleased to see the high degree of 
     consensus Cyprus has achieved on the transposition of EU law. 
     It is a sign of your country's healthy democracy that there 
     is genuine diversity of political views and genuine 
     competition between political parties, yet there is also 
     underlying agreement on fundamental principles. This unity in 
     diversity is the very essence of politics and society in 
     Europe today.
       Diversity is of course one of main characteristics of 
     Cyprus. It is a source of richness and of pride but it has 
     also, over the years, been a source of recurrent conflict. 
     The European Union lends its full support to efforts to 
     resolve the Cyprus problem and salutes in particular the 
     continuing work of Kofi Annan, the United Nations Secretary 
     General, and his special representative, Alvaro de Soto. The 
     European Union would be delighted if their efforts were to 
     bear fruit before enlargement, though--as you know--this is 
     not a pre-condition for Cyprus's accession.
       How inspiring it would be for Europe, and for the world at 
     large, if Cyprus were to heal its wounds and if Greek and 
     Turkish Cypriots were to enter the European Union together on 
     the basis of a settlement which took into account the 
     interests and concerns of all parties!
       The United Nations, and others working towards a 
     settlement, are well aware of those concerns. In the months 
     since the proximity talks were, alas, suspended, they have 
     been working hard in the common interest of all citizens of 
     Cyprus. We were disappointed that the Turkish Cypriot 
     leadership did not accept the UN Secretary-General's 
     invitation to resume talks in September. Despite these 
     disappointments, however, the UN is persevering in its 
     efforts and the European Union gives them our full backing.
       I very much welcome the recent improvement in relations 
     between Greece and Turkey and hope that this will facilitate 
     the search for a settlement of the Cyprus question. I am 
     profoundly convinced that a settlement is within reach.
       Let me stress that the European Union, with its acquis, 
     will never be an obstacle to finding a solution to the Cyprus 
     problem. The European Union never seeks to determine the 
     constitutional arrangements or the security arrangements of 
     its member states. Such matters are up to them.
       I am confident that the European Union can accommodate 
     whatever arrangements the parties themselves agree to in the 
     context of a political settlement. As an EU Member State 
     Cyprus will of course have to participate in the Council of 
     Ministers ``with one voice''.
       The European Commission is seeking to broaden understanding 
     of the acquis, and related issues, throughout Cyprus. Given a 
     political settlement, EU membership will bring benefits to 
     all Cypriots and in particular will enable those in the 
     northern part of the island to catch up rapidly in terms of 
     economic performance and living standards.
       Following a settlement, both Greek and Turkish Cypriots 
     will participate in the work of EU institutions, helping run 
     the Union and shape its future.
       Meanwhile, projects involving both communities on the 
     island can address specific problems, dispel misconceptions 
     and improve understanding.
       Projects of this sort deserve the active support of all 
     political leaders. They also demonstrate in practical terms 
     the commitment of the people of this island to overcoming the 
     problems of the past and reaching a settlement.
       There is a window of opportunity now for Greek and Turkish 
     Cypriots to reach an agreement before Cyprus's accession. 
     Every effort should be made to take full advantage of this 
     opportunity. History would not look kindly on those who 
     knowingly let this opportunity slip.
       A political settlement before Cyprus's accession is our 
     strong preference. But let me make one thing clear. Cyprus 
     will join the European Union, and it will be among the first 
     candidate countries to do so.
       The timetable is set out. We are aiming to complete 
     negotiations with all countries that are sufficiently 
     prepared by the end of next year, with a view to accession in 
     2004. We hope that Cypriot citizens will participate in the 
     European elections in 2004. There can be no question of 
     delaying an historic process in which the security, stability 
     and well being of Europe as a whole is involved.
       During my visit to Cyprus, I shall be meeting citizens from 
     various walks of life, including both Greek and Turkish 
     Cypriot trade unionists. I detect a yearning on the part of 
     all Cypriots to be part of the European project.
       As President of the European Commission I say to all the 
     people of Cyprus ``Welcome! The European Union will only be 
     complete when you, and the other European peoples who aspire 
     to membership, are ready to join us''.
       Thank you.

       

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