A Message From Andreas Neocleous - Cyprus Remains Open For Business

Coming in the aftermath of the Second World War, one of the primary aims of the founders of the EU was to prevent a recurrence of war between European nations. The Treaty of Rome, which established the European Economic Community, proclaimed its prime purpose as "ever closer union among the European peoples" and its intention "to confirm the solidarity which binds Europe".

As recently as December 2012, receiving the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the EU, its president, Herman Van Rompuy, used the opportunity to "remind people across Europe and the world of the Union's fundamental purpose: to further the fraternity between European nations, now and in the future." However, this appears to have been mere lip-service to the European ideal: Mr Van Rompuy went on to say that, "When prosperity and employment, the bedrock of our societies, appear threatened, it is natural to see a hardening of hearts, the narrowing of interests, even the return of long-forgotten fault-lines