The European Parliament has approved an amendment for the creation of a memorial within the building to honor the victims and the missing persons of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
The amendment that was approved with a vote of 71% in the plenary was put forward by MEP Michalis Hadjipantela of the Democratic Rally (DISY) and the European People’s Party (EPP).
A statement from Hadjipantela’s office notes that, in his capacity as the shadow rapporteur for the 2026 Budget, his amendment urged the European Parliament to consider allocating resources to fund the memorial.
“Such a memorial in the heart of Europe will carry strong symbolism, reminding every European visitor and MEP of the tragedy in Cyprus, which remains an open wound for Europe,” the statement highlighted.
In his comments, he emphasized the significance of the monument:
“Europe must remember and stand by the victims of the Turkish invasion. The memorial at the European Parliament will be a symbol of memory, awareness, and historical truth for all Europeans.”
Hadjipantela extended his thanks to the colleagues who voted in favor of the amendment, with a special acknowledgment to the Cypriot and Greek MEPs who supported his initiative.
