Press conference held by
the Presidents of the overseas organizations
POMAK, PSEKA and NEPOMAK
The Presidents of
the overseas organizations gave today a press conference at the “Filoxenia”
Conference Center, in Nicosia, on the occasion of the conclusion of the 25th
Session of the Central Council of the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots –
International Coordinating Committee “Justice for Cyprus” (POMAK-PSEKA) and the
7th World Conference of Young Overseas Cypriots (NEPOMAK).
The President of
the World Federation of Overseas Cypriots (POMAK), Mr Andreas Papaevripides,
the President of the International Coordinating Committee “Justice for Cyprus”
(PSEKA), Mr Philip Christopher and the outgoing President of the World
Conference of Young Overseas Cypriots (NEPOMAK), Mr Christos Karaolis,
participated in the press conference, held jointly with the Division of
Overseas and Repatriated Cypriots of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Presenting the
Presidents, the Deputy Director of the Division of Overseas and Repatriated
Cypriots of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Yiannis Iacovou, described the
collaboration with the overseas organizations excellent and constructive. He
also noted that the role of overseas Cypriots is important for the connection
of the diaspora with the homeland, as well as for the promotion of the Cyprus
problem.
On his part, the
President of POMAK said, inter alia, that during the Conference essential
issues were discussed, with emphasis on the Cyprus problem and the economy. The
briefings and the discussions with the President of the Republic, the Ministers
of Foreign Affairs, Energy and Finance, as well as with the Government
Spokesman and the Negotiator, put us in a new path of thinking as regards to
the actions that should be undertaken by overseas Cypriots for the promotion of
Cyprus’ national interests, Mr Papaevripides underlined.
Mr Papaevripides
also said that the United Kingdom and the United States of America are expected
to play a key role this period and added that intensive efforts are being made
in both countries as regards enlightenment.
For his part, the
President of PSEKA referred to the crucial role of the diaspora in the USA.
PSEKA’s effort, he noted, is to upgrade the Cyprus problem, reiterating that,
40 years later, the interests of Europe, the USA and Cyprus are, for the first
time, the same and this is expected to contribute towards the direction of a
solution. Mr Christopher expressed optimism for the way ahead regarding the
national issues of Cyprus.
The outgoing
President of NEPOMAK thanked the members of the Federation for their
collaboration during his mandate and hoped the best for the new Executive
Council, under the presidency of Mrs Antonia Savvides.
Mr Karaolis
focused on the elections and the results of the 7th World Conference
of NEPOMAK. He added that, through the workshops organized by CYTA, NEPOMAK
members had the opportunity to design a new mobile application, which aims,
with the use of new technologies, to the networking of young overseas Cypriots
worldwide. It will function as an information platform for the developments in
the Cyprus problem and the actions of NEPOMAK.
Replying to
questions of journalists, the President of PSEKA noted that a series of
contacts is being scheduled for the upcoming visit of the President of the
Republic to the US, in view of the UN General Assembly.
Regarding the
economy, Mr Papaevripides said that the British Government took actions and safeguarded
the deposits of the overseas Cypriots in the branches of Laiki Bank in the
United Kingdom. At the same time, Mr Christopher said that proposals were
submitted to the President of the Republic regarding ways in which the
expatriates could contribute to the efforts for the recovery of the economy.
Finally, the readiness of all the overseas Federations was expressed in
assisting, with all available means, in order for Cyprus to exit from the
economic crisis.
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