Cyprus

Cyprus is the largest island in the eastern Mediterranean and is situated south of Turkey. The two main mountain ranges are the Pentadactylos in the north and the Troodos in central and south-western part of the island. Between them is the fertile plain of Messaoria.Cyprus has long been a crossing point between Europe, Asia and Africa and still has many traces of successive civilisations Roman theatres and villas, Byzantine churches and monasteries, Crusader castles and pre historic habitats.

The island’s main economic activities are tourism, clothing and craft exports and merchant shipping. Traditional crafts include embroidery, pottery and copperwork.Traditional local dishes include the meze a selection of appetizers served as a main dish, halloumi cheese and the zivania schnapps.Since Turkey occupied the north of the island in , the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities have been separated by the so called Green Line.

Cyprus is well known as the island of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, who, according to legend, was born here.In modern literature, names such as Costas Montis poet and writer and Demetris Gotsis writer stand out, while Evagoras Karageorgis and Marios Tokas are well known for their musical compositions.

Europe is a continent with many different traditions and languages, but also with shared values. The EU defends these values. It fosters co-operation among the peoples of Europe, promoting unity while preserving diversity and ensuring that decisions are taken as close as possible to the citizens.In the increasingly interdependent world of the century, it will be even more necessary for every European citizen to co operate with people from other countries in a spirit of curiosity, tolerance and solidarity.