The EU should use the political momentum following the elections in Turkey to assume a more active role in trying to overcome the deadlock and resume negotiations within the agreed UN framework on the Cyprus problem, so as to end the almost 50-year-long occupation of Cyprus by Turkey and reunify the island, in line with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, EU principles and the acquis, the EPP said in a joint statement. It also added that the EPP welcomes and supports President Christodoulides’ efforts in this regard, and in particular his proposal for a more active EU role, including through the appointment of a representative to facilitate the resumption of negotiations. Regarding migration, it is stated that in the first four months of 2023, more than 80,000 people crossed the EU’s borders illegally, a figure almost 30% higher than a year ago and the highest total for the same period since 2016, with the EPP expressing concern about the deteriorating situation at the EU’s external borders and the suffering of refugees. “We strongly welcome the breakthrough achieved by the Swedish EU Council Presidency in reaching a compromise on the New Pact on Asylum and Migration, as it includes long-standing demands of our party,” the EPP added, adding that it is absolutely necessary to adopt the new legislation before the European Elections in 2024. On Ukraine, it is noted that the EPP supports Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to continue financial assistance to Ukraine beyond 2023. It is also added that at the upcoming summit in Vilnius, NATO allies should address the Ukrainian membership perspective by extending an invitation to the country to join the alliance once the war is over. “The EPP firmly supports Ukraine’s applications to join both the EU and NATO and we will stand with Ukraine and its people, in particular children, until they win the war and peace returns to Europe. Moreover, we support the notion of providing Ukraine with the necessary security guarantees,” the party stressed.
Source: Cyprus News Agency