A delegation of Cypriot parliamentarians called on the EU to enhance its presence in the Eastern Mediterranean region and show its solidarity towards Cyprus, during the 21st Inter-Parliamentary Conference session on the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Common Policy of Security and Defense (CSDP), held in Prague on 4-5 September.
The Conference took place within the framework of the parliamentary dimension of the current six-month Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) and it was attended by MPs George Karoullas, Zacharias Koulias, Alekos Tryfonidis and Alexandra Attalides.
According to a Cyprus Parliament press release, Karoullas as the head of the delegation, expressed the commitment of the Republic of Cyprus to the implementation of the provisions of the EU Strategic Compass, in his intervention during the exchange of views with High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell. Pointing out that Cyprus is under constant threat from Turkey and that it is obliged to protect its sovereignty and the Union’s external borders, he called for the Union’s practical solidarity with Cyprus.
He also called for an enhanced presence of the Union in the Eastern Mediterranean region, through Coordinated Maritime Presences. Karoullas also expressed concern about the imminent operation of the nuclear power plant in Akkuyu, Turkey pointing out the major risks arising from the interdependence between Turkey and Russia, a country that threatens the energy security of the Union, as he said.
Addressing the Turkish delegation, MP Attalides stressed that the accession negotiations with the country have frozen due to the violations of EU principles by the Turkish government, noting at the same time the absence of a clear condemnation by the EU. She also wondered how the EU can support the country’s accession process when its President threatens to invade a member state.
During the discussion on disinformation, hybrid threats and cyber defence, MP Tryfonidis noted that the creation of a common defence policy in cyberspace and the development of substantial cooperation at the European level are urgently required.
Moreover, during the meeting of the parliamentary delegations of the EU Mediterranean countries (GroupMed), which took place on the sidelines of the Conference, Karoullas and Attalides briefed the delegations of the participating countries for the Turkish violations against the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus and for the risks arising, for the entire Mediterranean and the EU, from the aimed operation of the nuclear power plant in Akkuyu.
Source: Cyprus News Agency