Dr. announced her candidacy for Famagusta Municipality. Claire Hatzikakou with the Volt – Cyprus.
This announcement:
Dear fellow citizens, dear friends,
Observing the adverse consequences and negative effects of the current politics of our country, with the risk of losing our beloved city of Famagusta for good, I decided to run for the position of Mayor of Famagusta in the 2024 municipal elections.
I consider it a duty to our ancestors, but also to the new generation, to reverse the negative course, to which we have been led since the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus by the respective political leaderships and minor party interests.
We are in an impasse situation, where we see all hope for a solution to the Cyprus problem being lost.
I am not a politician, I am a citizen and I belong to the last generation that lived in Famagusta.
I was born in the early 1960s and lived until 1974 a carefree and happy childhood in Famagusta.
Famagusta is my motivation to get actively involved in our mayoral activities, as I do not accept the done things. It is our duty to act immediately, because tomorrow, it will surely be too late. We are living in an intense period of insecurity and the corruption of our political system has led to the unreliability of Cyprus with an impact on its relationship at the European and international level.
The return of Famagusta to its legal residents could be the starting point for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. Our vision is inspired by the longing for a reunified, free, democratic homeland, where we all live peacefully safely, without roadblocks and green lines, creating a modern state.
Our municipality differs from the municipalities of other Cypriot cities.
When other municipalities deal with everyday life, punctuality, with traffic, with tourism, with the creation of a modern, smart and green city, the Municipality of Famagusta is still struggling with existential issues, such as the developments in the enclosed area of Famagusta and not only. Our properties are bought by foreign citizens, hence we are forced to proceed with procedures to prevent the sale of Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied territories with criminal or civil legal consequences.
If we really want to shape a better future, we must have the determination, courage and persistence to succeed.
My priorities will be the following:
1. Bringing the issue of Famagusta back into the news.
Bringing the issue of Famagusta back to the news is a matter of utmost importance and is at the top of our future actions.
The de facto situation, as it has been created over time, cannot be accepted, especially with the latest developments in Cyprus, which you currently find in a position of meteoric stagnation and even dead-end regression, as far as the painful developments in the enclosed area are concerned of our city.
The issue of Famagusta must be brought back immediately to the consultations on the resolution of the Cyprus issue within the framework of the United Nations resolutions.
2. Problems of the refugee world
The refugee world, especially the elderly and other vulnerable groups, are plagued by many problems.
The cost of living has risen greatly and many live below the poverty line on a meager pension or a minimal allowance, but it is not possible under such income conditions to survive decently.
There are people among us with mobility difficulties, who unfortunately do not have the ability to self-serve adequately and without someone to support them, they are in danger in their own home.
Many examples which require social cohesion. We need more infrastructure and community support projects to provide a decent life to people who are in immediate need and need much more financial help as well as moral support.
The Municipality of Famagusta, with a down-to-earth approach and not with inapplicable theories and resounding pre-election slogans, must connect with people from all walks of life, in order to listen to the problems faced by each citizen.
The goal is not the life but the well-being of all the citizens of Famagusta.
3. Close cooperation with the Turkish Cypriot municipality and the Turkish Cypriot community in all political, social and cultural sectors.
The pursuit of cooperation with the Turkish Cypriot town hall is of the utmost importance, so that the city can develop in all areas.
A trustworthy and transparent cooperation must be established based on the participation of our Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot fellow citizens, to improve everyday life by creating infrastructure and projects for a modern city.
The goal is to jointly and in constructive cooperation develop our city and become again the jewel of the island and the Mediterranean, as it was in the good old days.
This will only be possible by achieving excellent synergies between all involved. Mutual respect, personal responsibility, transparency, participation and an open culture of dialogue must be the characteristics of this cooperation.
The socio-political and cultural development will include lifelong learning and creative cooperation in the critical areas of health, education and welfare, sports activities, traffic, affordable housing for low-wage families, young couples and students. , the practical support of the needy and disadvantaged, as well as stray animals, cleanliness, the protection of the sea and the environment in general from polluting factors with continuous tree planting and reforestation. One of our main goals will be the functional utilization of technology for the development of innovative activities and the general well-being of all citizens.
It will be the starting point of a modern city in a modern federal and democratic state.
4. Acquaintance of the new generation with Famagusta
The generation that represented the greatness and culture of Famagusta until 1974 is slowly leaving forever, with the unfulfilled longing to return. The last generation that lived their childhood in Famagusta is also approaching this mature age.
The new generation, our young people, grew up far from Famagusta, in other cities, in other places, without experiencing the prosperity, cultural flourishing and cosmopolitanism of Famagusta.
Young people get to know Famagusta only by listening to the stories of their parents, relatives, grandparents, but without feeling that special personal feeling that those who lived it keep alive inside them.
So this new generation that is now taking over the reins of society, should also get to know the rest of our country, in order to create a complete image of our Cyprus.
One issue, which has also remained in the drawers unresolved, is the right to vote in the place of origin for refugees by matrilineal origin.
Half a century has passed without sufficient debate on the legislation passed in 2013, and its non-implementation until now is a violation of the human rights of the children, whose only mother is a refugee.
We demand the regulation of the law and the securing of the right to vote in the province of origin of the refugees by birth.
5. Maintenance and preservation of the cultural wealth of Famagusta
The cultural wealth of Famagusta, the walled city, the churches, the monuments, Salamina, Engomi, the monasteries and so many other monuments of our ancient and Byzantine heritage are urgently needed to be preserved, to preserve our cultural wealth.
Remarkable restoration and maintenance works are already being carried out by the Bi-Communal Committee of Cultural Heritage and the T/K Municipality, however, major works are still waiting that must be completed simultaneously and in a timely manner.
This can be achieved together, with the cooperation of T/K and E/K citizens, regions and municipalities.
With this vision, we must highlight Famagusta as a starting point for peaceful coexistence, with mutual respect, appreciation, personal responsibility, transparency and an open culture of dialogue.
These should be the physiognomic characteristics of our city and we will achieve it with your practical support and support. The use of your vote for immediate and effective action, for an essential struggle to return to our sea-loving city.