Overseas Cypriots

 

(21st Congress – November 2010)

During the recent years, serious efforts have been undertaken to inform and better coordinate the Movement of Overseas Cypriots and their actions have periodically been better utilized for the promotion of the Cyprus Problem and enlightenment of the international community, especially in those countries considered decision-making centres. The role of the Overseas Cypriots is becoming even more significant and useful, particularly in the current phase of the Cyprus Problem.Overseas Cypriots were and still are an integral part of the Cypriot people, a part that keeps on fighting for many years for the rights of our people’s struggle and for the promotion of the Cyprus problem worldwide.

For our Party the briefing/enlightenment of organized groups among of Cypriots abroad, consequently of public opinion in those countries where many of our compatriots live, has been, and still is an important part of our work.

Our Party operates Branches in Britain and in Greece. These Branches play an important role in all matters that concern our Party, and participate in almost all the election campaigns, especially because of the large number of students in these two countries.

Our Party’s Branch in the UK circulates a weekly newspaper, which greatly contributes in the enlightenment both of our first-generation overseas compatriots, as well as of the younger generation, as it has several pages in English.

Of course, there are new communities of overseas Cypriots in Eastern Europe where no organized groups exist, but where they do exist, they are not affiliated to the World Movement of Overseas Cypriots.

Counselor for the Overseas and Repatriated Cypriots

Despite the reorganization that has been done in the Service of Overseas Cypriots and the improvement of the service, nonetheless a Counselor for the Overseas Cypriots and Repatriates must be appointed. This Counselor must be a political person who will chair the Service of Overseas Cypriots. The Service’s personnel must be qualified on various issues, such as health, education, defense, and others that concern Overseas Cypriots and the Repatriates.

Advisory Committee of Cypriots Abroad

It is important to reorganize the Advisory Committee of Cypriots Abroad, which will work closely with the Foreign Minister and be in regular contact with the President of the Republic for the coordination, activation and use of Overseas Cypriots, and for the better projection and promotion of enlightenment on the Cyprus Problem.

Relations between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots Abroad

A specific policy should be formulated, concerning the relations with the T/C Overseas, addressing their problems. The closer relation between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities in the Diaspora should be promoted more vigorously and practically.

Maintenance of Overseas’ Cypriot identity

AKEL must continue to work for the strengthening of state’s assistance to the educational institutions of the Diaspora, in order to sustain and continue the important work being done for the preservation of the identity of overseas second and third-generation’s Cypriots in their countries of residence.

Cypriot Youth Overseas

P.OM.A.K, the youth organization of Overseas Cypriots, the Departments of the Federations’ Youth and the local clubs created, are a correct and creative development. However, this development is not sufficient as the new generation is born and raised in a different country, does not have the same experiences and is not attracted by the same concerns. The problems arising from this conclusion should be tackled even more specifically.

Furthermore, concrete efforts should be undertaken for the interaction between P.OM.A.K and EDON, the Party’s Youth, for the organization of joint events.