Article
by the Foreign Minister on the occasion of the launch of
Cyprus’
national program for European Year for Development
In
today’s interdependent world, global problems need global solutions. Global
solutions are necessary for international security, political, economic,
monetary and environmental stability, as well as for access to raw materials and
rare earths. One of the major challenges humanity faces is social, economic and
gender inequality. One of the best solutions to combat these inequalities at
local, national and global level, is development.
Development
is certainly not only measured by a country’s economic growth indicators, but
also by the well-being of all its citizens. Well-being derives from the
reduction of poverty, inequality and unemployment, which together constitute
development and increase human quality of life. In order for the aforementioned
goals to be achieved, the element of sustainability needs to be guaranteed. That
includes sustainable agriculture and energy, social protection, health and
education for all – irrespective of gender, as well as job creation. Development
is also achieved by ensuring political and religious freedom, protection of
human rights, good governance and eradication of corruption, peace and
security.
As
the Millennium Development Goals are approaching their deadline,
intergovernmental processes are being conducted since this past January, aiming
to reach a global agreement on the post-2015 development agenda. The new
agenda’s overarching objective is the achievement of poverty eradication and
inclusive and sustainable development, incorporating all its three dimensions:
economic, social and environmental. Peace and good governance also constitute
important pillars, while universality and applicability of the new targets to
both North and South is considered essential.
Cyprus
actively participates in this process in the framework of the UN, the EU and the
Commonwealth. Furthermore, and although
it has suspended its national development cooperation program due to the
economic crisis, Cyprus fulfils
all development obligations stemming from the Treaty of Lisbon, which has firmly
anchored development policy within the EU’s external action in support of the
Union's interest in a stable and prosperous world.
I
believe that development cooperation benefits not only the recipients but also
the donors, as it contributes in addressing global problems such as epidemics,
illegal migration, climate change, piracy, radicalization, terrorism and human
trafficking. It is more cost-effective to eliminate the causes of poverty rather
than just treat its symptoms. To this end, it is necessary that we move
collectively, quickly and effectively to ensure stability and peace,
particularly in geopolitical trouble spots such as our immediate neighborhood.
In
this light, I consider the establishment by the Council of the European Union
and the European Parliament of the year 2015 as the European Year of Development
as very timely. Cyprus is participating in this effort, with the motto "Our
people, our dignity, our future". Our country takes part in a European
initiative to inform citizens with a national program launched today, under the
coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in cooperation with the
Ministry of Education and Culture. The responsibility for the program management
and implementation is undertaken by the Cyprus Island-wide NGO Development
Platform CYINDEP, in a context of sincere cooperation and synergy between state
actors and civil society.
As
part of this program, the activities organized this year will give us the
opportunity to highlight, on one side, the complexity of the challenges of
sustainable development and, on the other side, to raise awareness about the
benefits of the EU’s development cooperation; not just for the beneficiaries but
also for improving the quality of life of EU citizens themselves. Since the EU
is the largest donor of development aid worldwide, the Year also provides an
opportunity for the European taxpayer to be informed about the impact of her/his
contributions.
In
an increasingly interdependent world, development is more than mere aid: it is a
vision and a lifestyle. We have a collective responsibility to participate in
the efforts to realize this vision, with a sense of solidarity and pride because
we belong to a European family that helps to build a better, more sustainable
future for humanity, based on a commonly formed long-term vision with ultimate
goal the protection and welfare of its own citizens.
