Nicosia Mayor Constantinos Yiorgadjis inaugurated the new bi-communal Europe Direct Centre (EDIC) in Nicosia’s Home for Cooperation on September 9th, saying that it contributes to the final goal of reunifying Cyprus within the arms of the European community.

The Head of the European Commission Representation in Cyprus, Georgios Markopouliotis, and Turkish Cypriot, Mehmet Harmancı also addressed the ceremony.

EDIC was established in February 2015 by the Association for Historical Dialogue and Research and is co-funded by the European Union as part of wider Europe Direct network, which aims to provide accessible, user-friendly information to EU citizens about their rights and opportunities.

The citizens of Nicosia can be served in Greek, Turkish and English.

“Together with the Representations they make Brussels more accessible to citizens,” said Markopouliotis.

He hopes that residents of Nicosia from both sides of the Green Line will indeed use this tool and said that the EDICs are there to serve the citizens, to help them better understand the EU and its policies that aim at improving citizens’ daily life.

Markopouliotis quoted President Juncker, who reiterated this morning his hope, his ambition and his wish to see the island united next year, expressing his confidence that this is feasible under the current conditions.

“Empowered by the European values of democracy, justice, solidarity, respect of human rights and diversity, we remain focused and determined to achieve European fulfilment. We patiently await for a resolution to our national tragedy, the liberation and reunification of our country and our city,” said Mayor Yiorgadjis.

Speaking on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot community, Harmancı stressed the importance of the presence of the EU on the negotiations table, as a technical advisor. He pointed out that more bi-communal projects and initiatives should be implemented.

“If there will be a solution soon, we will all have to work together,” he said.

Lastly, Mrs Paraskevi Koumi, EDIC Nicosia Officer, highlighted the upcoming events that EDIC Nicosia is organizing, aiming to inform citizens about EU programmes and to promote EU values and opportunities. Events such as film festivals, study fair, cycling, kid’s clubs, are all planned and the ceremony was concluded with music programme performed by the Bicommunal Choir for Peace, with songs sung in both languages, Greek and Turkish.