In Cyprus, we are constantly working to strengthen democratic institutions, trying to ensure that they become more accessible, said Parliament Speaker Annita Dimitriou today.
In her videotaped greeting at the Cyprus Democracy Summit held in Nicosia, Mrs. Dimitriou expressed her steadfast loyalty "to the principles of Democracy that guide us and define us as citizens of this state."
Referring to the Republic of Cyprus, Mrs. Dimitriou said that with its rich history at the crossroads of its cultures, "it is relatively young, however along the way it has faced many challenges and has been tested by tragic events such as the Turkish invasion and the ongoing occupation that led to a constant struggle to seek peace and reunification of our island".
These very challenges and difficulties, he said, have preserved and strengthened our respect for the democratic ideals of freedom, equality, and justice for all.
In Cyprus, he said, "we are constantly working to strengthen democratic institutions, trying to ensure that they become more accessible, representative and responsive to the needs of all Cypriot citizens".
International cooperation and solidarity, he added, "are fundamental principles and values that guide us on this journey. The latest dramatic events in our region, but also more widely, worry and sadden us. That is why it is our minimum obligation to protect both the institutions and the citizens that the institutions serve...with more democracy and clear positions".
The President of the Parliament said that the "times we are going through are difficult and in them, forces of division often seem to overshadow bridges of understanding".
That is why, he added, conferences like the Cyprus Democracy Summit are vital, as they remind us of the power that exists in the common effort to consolidate democratic values and human rights.
Source: KYPE