Refugee children residing in Cyprus from Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Palestine, Lebanon, Iran, and Somalia were received by House President Yiannakis Omirou on Tuesday at the Parliament.
Speaking to the children, Omirou conveyed good wishes on behalf of all members of parliament for a happy, creative, hopeful, and happy new year, 2016.
“We know you have serious problems, we know you did not want to leave your countries, your homes, no one wants to leave the country where he was born,” he said in his address.
Omirou gave all the children gift vouchers worth €30 for a department store. A reception followed during which the children had the opportunity to discuss their problems with the House speaker.
Sizan Aldeen, 18, from Iraq who has lived in Cyprus with his family for 10 years replied on behalf of the children. He wished the speaker of the House and the people of Cyprus a Happy New Year.
“Thank you for calling us to the House,” he said. “Thank you for giving us the opportunity to talk about the problems we have. We thank the Cypriot people for the hospitality and the hope they have given us.”
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