General Secretary of the Turkish Cypriot teachers` trade union KTÖS, Sener Elcil, who has been awarded the prize of the European Citizen`s Prize for 2016 on a proposal by Cypriot MEP Demetris Papadakis, has told CNA that he considers the prize as a reflection of support to the process towards a Cyprus settlement.
On his part, Papadakis told CNA that he proposed Elcil as a candidate for the prize “with a view to empower this individual, who struggles for the peaceful co-existence of the two communities in Cyprus, and not for a solution that will be divisive.”
Elcil and Apostolos Loucas district lyceum in Kolossi, Cyprus, are included in the list with the 50 proposals chosen by the European Parliament as the winners of the European Citizen`s Prize for 2016. The candidacy of a group of 40 students from Apostolos Loucas lyceum, for their art project “Immigrants”, inspired by the plight of refugees crossing the Mediterranean, was submitted by Cypriot MEPs Takis Hadjigeorgiou and Neoklis Sylikiotis. Both candidacies were supported by all six Cypriot MEPs.
Elcil told CNA that he was officially informed about the prize on Thursday. “This prize is not basically mine. I consider it to be a reward for the principles, the struggles of this union (KTÖS). It is an important motive for its long standing struggle,” he added.
He noted that KTÖS fundamental goal is the reunification of Cyprus and for Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots to live together.
“We aim at combating chauvinism, nationalism, hatred, so that people can live together, respecting each other`s religion, culture, race, language and beliefs,” he added, noting that peace in Cyprus will be tangible once all these are met.
Furthermore, he said that this prize means that the European Parliament supports the struggle to reunite Cyprus, adding that this is an important message.
In particular, he added, since a negotiating process is still underway, this reward also expresses the support to this process, he concluded.
MEP Papadakis told CNA that Elcil is a person who has several times been confronted with the occupation in Cyprus` Turkish occupied areas “and I consider that he should be supported and empowered through this award.”
He added that KTOS General Secretary is every day giving his own fight to rid his homeland of the occupation so that Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots can live together peacefully, and not separately.
Cyprus has been divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion. UN peace talks are currently underway to reunite the country under a federal roof.
CNA/OA/RP/MK/MM/2016
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
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