24/04/2026 | 10:58:28 Madam President, Dear colleagues, Cyprus, the "Island of Aphrodite", holds a unique place in history and international relations. The Republic of Cyprus was established under the 1959 London and Zurich Agreements by Greece, Türkiye and the United Kingdom as guarantor powers. Its constitution was drafted in accordance with the founding agreements and entered into force in 1960. However, the constitutional order was forcefully disrupted by Greek Cypriots in 1963 and Turkish Cypriots were... 21/04/2026 | 18:58:21 Mister Chair, distinguished colleagues, Freedom of religion or belief is not only a fundamental human right, but also a cornerstone of democratic societies. Yet, as highlighted in the draft resolution before us, manifestations of intolerance and discrimination based on religion are on the rise, including in the form of hate speech, exclusion and violence. In Cyprus, this challenge can be observed in a particularly concerning manner. Turkish Cypriot people, with their distinct cultural and... 28/01/2026 | 13:27:42 Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2. Strengthening democracies with young people requires moving beyond symbolic participation toward meaningful inclusion and shared responsibility. Young people must be recognised not only as beneficiaries of democratic systems, but also as active actors in shaping them. This requires creating opportunities for their engagement in decision-making processes and fostering an environment in which young voices are valued, respected, and able to... 27/01/2026 | 18:01:01 Mister President and dear colleagues, Recent developments have once again demonstrated that security in Europe cannot be taken for granted and requires our constant collective attention. Unresolved conflicts continue to undermine stability far beyond their immediate geography and pose a threat to the security of the entire continent. In this context, the persisting status quo on the island of Cyprus, which has been on the agenda of the sustained Assembly for more than six decades, continues... 26/01/2026 | 17:50:15 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) Safeguarding the international system of justice is indispensable to upholding the rule of law, protecting human rights, and preserving peace and security in Europe and beyond. For the Council of Europe, this commitment is rooted in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and given effect through the judgments of the ECHR. The authority of the Court, together with the execution of its judgments under the supervision of the Committee...