The Group for Reflection on the Modernisation of Our Society, OPEK, in cooperation with the English-language website Politis To The Point of the Politis group, is organising an open public discussion titled “Cyprus at the Crossroads of Europe’s Future Security: Regional Strategic Implications and Prospects for a Cyprus Settlement.” The event will take place on Thursday 18 June at 18:30 at the ground floor of the Politis building, located at 8 Vasiliou Voulgaroktonou Street.
At the same table
The event stands out both for its theme and the composition of its participants. The main speaker will be Professor Kostas M. Constantinou, Professor of International Relations at the University of Cyprus, one of the most distinguished scholars in diplomacy and international conflict. The introductory remarks will be delivered by journalist Kyriakos Pierides on behalf of OPEK.
The panel will include individuals with significant experience and notable public contribution. Erato Kozakou-Marcoulli, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, brings decades of experience in international diplomacy and Cyprus negotiations. Xenia Constantinou, political scientist and former DISY MP, represents a documented and clear political analysis. Stavri Kalopsidiotou, head of AKEL’s Cyprus issue policy sector, will present a different but equally substantive perspective, while Anna Koukkidi-Prokopiou, president of the POLITEIA Centre for Sociopolitical Thought and former Minister of Justice and Public Order, will enrich the discussion with her interdisciplinary approach.
Security as a key to reunification
OPEK, with the support of the newspaper Politis, seeks to broaden public debate on European Security and Defence at a critical historical moment. The invasion of Ukraine, shifting balances within NATO, the relaunch of European defence integration and the fluid EU-Turkey relationship constitute a combination of factors that directly affect both the prospects for Cyprus reunification and the island’s role in the wider strategic environment.
During the event, OPEK will present the main points of a policy paper currently under development, to be enriched by the positions expressed during the discussion. The aim is to contribute to a documented and progressive dialogue on what the emerging European security architecture could offer within the framework of efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue, as well as what risks are associated with the continuation of the current deadlock.
Among the questions to be addressed are the following: Can the EU strengthen its role as a factor of security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean? What does the evolving European defence architecture mean for strategic autonomy and the relationship with NATO? Can this architecture serve as a common framework of reference for the two communities in a future settlement? And ultimately, does security function as an obstacle or as an incentive for new negotiations?
Open dialogue
The event is addressed to academics, diplomats, journalists and representatives of civil society, and remains open to any citizen wishing to participate in the discussion. The language of the event will be Greek, with accommodation for interventions in English. Parking will be provided by Politis.
For participation, interested parties can contact +357 96387498.
