The President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola was in Cyprus with President Nikos Christodoulides to celebrate Europe Day. During a dialogue with the next generation, President Metsola encouraged young people to write the next chapter of Europe's history.
Dear President, Dear Ministers, Dear Commissioner, Fellow colleagues, Members of the European Parliament,
It is great to be back in beautiful Cyprus. This is my fourth visit as President of the European Parliament. I’m from the Mediterranean as well, and every time I come here, I must say that I feel like I’m coming home.
And it wasn’t that long ago when I was sitting in the seats where you are sitting today. I remember sitting through a lot of talks like this and being told “You are the future of Europe.” I remember thinking that we are the present. And we have ideas, now.
Looking back to those days, I think I realise and understand what was meant. Because I’ve seen it. I’ve seen what young people can do when they step up. I’ve seen what young people can do when they speak out and when they shape the world around them. I’ve seen young people change the world.
Europe is not just something you learn in school, in class, or even in debates, in questions and answers sessions like we will have today. Europe is a living, breathing project. We say it every year on the 9th of May, but what I would like, and I need you to do that is that you live and breathe Europe every day. Europe was built by people who refused to settle for the way things are, for the way things always were. It’s always been about looking ahead, not looking back. But Europe only works when each new generation takes it forward. And that’s where you come in. That’s something that President Christodoulides and I have been talking about ever since I took up this position and the responsibility that comes with it.
Europe and Cyprus need your energy. Your ideas. Your honesty. Your boldness. Not just to fix what isn’t working - but to reimagine what is possible.
I first got involved in politics at a time when my country was in the middle of an extremely divisive debate about joining the European Union. We celebrated 21 years last week. I remember thinking that I have a choice as a young woman: either let someone else do the discussions for me or enter it myself. For us, young people, there was no other choice except to join the European Union. If you come from an island, in the Mediterranean, in the south of Europe, where else do you want to go?
Young people prevailed. It was an extremely tight result. But instead of moaning, I got up and did something about it. Because I cared and I knew that what I was going to do will be beneficial for whoever comes after me.
I know you care too. I’ve met some of you during discussions I had at our European Parliament office here. You care about your future, about your education, about finding a job that means something, about being able to afford a home. I know you care about the climate; you care about peace in Ukraine, in the Middle East, and the future of Cyprus.
And that is why we are here today - not for you to listen, but to have a dynamic debate. To make sure your voices shape very single decision that we take in the European Parliament. It’s not far away. It’s here. Your Members are here. Talk to them. Hold them accountable. Keep them responsible. To make sure that when we work together, we can reimagine Europe together. So that Europe works for you, and not the other way round. And Europe addresses the issues that you care deeply about.
I know that many of you carry family stories that are shaped by the terrible conflicts this beautiful island has seen. And I know how deeply you all care about Cyprus. But every time I meet young Cypriots, I see a generation that wants to work for resolution, that wants to move forward. And that is exactly what Europe is about.
Your challenges are Europe’s challenges. Your hopes are Europe’s hopes. Cyprus is not at the edge of our Union. Cyprus is at the centre of it. And I want you to know that you can count on Europe, because you are Europe. And I know that we can count on you.
President Christodoulides and I meet quite often. And there is not one moment when he does not work tirelessly for this country. My commitment to him, to the Ministers, to the Government, to the Parliament, to Members of the Parliament and to you, is that Europe will always support Cyprus on its path to reunification, within the UN framework - through dialogue, through diplomacy, through joint steps walked together.
Every 9th of May we come together, and we say that this European Union of ours was born out of the ashes of war. It was built to bring people together, not push them apart. And let me tell you: we will never give up on that mission.
I have always been, and I will always be, an optimist. In politics, you have to be. But looking at you all, that fundamental belief is fully re-affirmed.
A few years ago, I met two young men from Famagusta. They stood in the European Parliament and spoke about peace, unity, and hope. And I’ll never forget them. Because in that moment, they showed me exactly what’s possible when young people push ideas forward.
And that’s what I see today. I see a generation that is smart, determined, and full of ideas. In a nation that is leading in Europe, shaping debates and being an anchor for all of us, especially during the six months where you will take the helm during the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU, where we will look to you for leadership.
So yes - when I say, “You are the future of Europe,” I mean every single word.
That means speak up. Stay curious. Get involved. Ask questions. Vote. Organise yourselves. That is what I would like the next chapter of Europe’s history to be written about - that’s your job now.
I said I came here to listen. So now - over to you.
You can read the President's speech in Greek here.