Membership of the European Union has “undoubtedly been our greatest success”, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Friday.

Speaking at an event in Nicosia to mark Europe Day, he said Cyprus’ accession to the EU in 2004 “was the most important political and diplomatic success since the foundation of the Republic of Cyprus.

“I have repeatedly stated that the EU is the most important collective achievement in Europe since the age of enlightenment. Today, therefore, we pay a special tribute to the pioneers of this idea, Robert Schuman and Jean Monnet, who, 75 years ago, upon the ruins of two world wars, laid the foundation of the European edifice,” he said.

He then described the EU as “a political union of states based on action and not words, on unity, solidarity and cooperation.

“For the Republic of Cyprus in particular, EU membership has undoubtedly been our greatest success. A success which, on the one hand, confirmed the country’s European identity and the unbreakable ties of Cypriots with the rest of the peoples of Europe, and on the other hand, institutionally and politically strengthened our state, while strengthening our position at the regional and international level,” he said.

In the 21 years of being a member state, Cyprus has modernised and upgraded its infrastructure, strengthened the rule of law and the rights of its citizens, promoted entrepreneurship, improved the social model in key sectors, such as health, and promoted the green and digital transition, Christodoulides added.

Being a member of the EU also “enables us to participate equally and actively in the shaping of European policies”, as well as “to have a say and a role in decision-making processes and to exchange the best practices with our European partners”.

He then turned his attention to the current state of international affairs, describing it as an “era of multiple and diverse geopolitical challenges and reshuffles on the international scene”.

“One thing has become clear, and, if you like, it also justifies Cyprus’ longstanding position: Europe needs to invest more in its strategic autonomy, to seek more unification, and greater European integration,” he said.

He added that the EU must “rely primarily on its own strengths”, before saying that the EU has the tools “not only to achieve this but also to okay a leading role in international affairs”.

Then, he turned his attention to Cyprus’ holding of the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of next year, saying his government’s goal for the six-month term “is none other than a stronger EU which is even more unified”.

“A real union, at all levels, capable of protecting its citizens and their way of life and of effectively defend its interests,” he said, adding that such a vision “clearly includes strengthening relations with the countries of the wider Middle East”.

This, he said, is “a region where Cyprus, as the union’s easternmost bastion, has an important role to play, as a stable and reliable partner, and as a bridge between the EU and the region”.