Press Release

17/02/2008

Ioannis Kasoulides, moderniser and reformist, can offer Cyprus a new future. Joseph Daul MEP

In the first round of the presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus - the first one since its accession to the EU in 2004 - the Cypriots have put their trust in Ioannis Kasoulides MEP, Member of the EPP-ED Group (Centre and Centre-Right) in the European Parliament.

"On behalf of my parliamentary group, I very warmly congratulate Mr Kasoulides for his victory in this first round. Our political family, the most important and influential in Europe, wishes him all the best for the secound round, due to take place on the 24th of February", declared Joseph Daul MEP, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament.

"Ioannis Kasoulides is the only Statesman who can bring together all the political forces which have succcessfully contributed to build a European future for the island. He is the moderniser and the reformist who, through constructive dialogue, has in the past and will even more in future bring new and fresh prospects to the Cyprus issue", outlined Joseph Daul MEP. "Mr Kasoulides is a great Cypriot, and he is a great European whose long-standing experience and strong international network will give Cyprus a new European dimension and, above all, a peaceful and cohesive future", continued Daul.

"I urge Cypriot citizens never to forget that Europe is about solidarity, Europe is about values. By confirming, next Sunday, their vote in the 1st round, giving Mr Kasoulides, as their new President, the legitimacy to give a new and strong impulse to the solution of their terrible division, they will prove what democracy and responsibility are all about. We, the political family of Nicolas Sarkozy, Angela Merkel, Costas Karamanlis, Jean-Claude Juncker, José Manuel Barroso and other prominent leaders of Europe, want Ioannis Kasoulides to win the presidential election in Cyprus. To cast a vote for him is to cast a vote to gain more influence in Europe, and to give peace a new chance. This is an opportunity not to be missed", concluded Chairman Daul.

For further information:
Joseph Daul MEP Tel: +33-3-88-175525
Antoine Ripoll, Chairman's Spokesman, Tel: +32-475-856290