Two Cypriots, namely journalist Sevgul Uludag and poet Michalis Christofides are among this year’s winners of European Citizen’s Prize which is awarded each year by the European Parliament.
Uludag and Christofides were proposed for the Prize by AKEL MEPs, Neoklis Sylikiotis and Takis Hadjigeorgiou.
The Turkish Cypriot journalist Sevgul Uludag since 2002 has been researching and writing about the missing persons and the mass graves of the bi-communal conflicts and the events of 1974, contributing significantly to speed up the process of investigations, said a press release issued by the two Cypriot MEPs.
Michalis Christofides writes poems for peace and human rights, universal values and freedom. Christofides` poems are published both in Greek and Turkish language while his activity and work highlight the value of mutual respect and reconciliation sending the message that peace can and must prevail in Cyprus.
AKEL MEPs stressed that both “our compatriots believe in the necessity of rapprochement of the two communities as the main ingredient to end the occupation and reunify Cyprus and its people. They both work for a free island and for the implementation of human rights without discrimination”, they said.
They also noted that the example of these people could be a bright beacon which would guide the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, illuminate Europe and make the world more human.
The award ceremony will take place in Brussels on 25 and 26 February.