Budapest: No third country can participate in the structure of Europe if it does not comply with the principles and values of the EU, and EU’s security must be based on unity, principles, and consistency, stated House of Representatives President Annita Demetriou. She made these remarks on Monday while addressing the debate on the Future of Europe at the Conference of Speakers of the Parliaments of the EU member states in Budapest.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Demetriou emphasized that unconditional respect for international law must always prevail over the policy of double standards. She asserted that invasion is invasion and occupation is occupation, and international law must be applied to all countries without allowing deviations, as failing to do so would damage the EU’s credibility. Demetriou highlighted issues such as the war in Ukraine, the crisis in the Middle East, the international actions of the US, and the ongoing Turkish occupation of Cyprus, noting that at this critical juncture, the EU requires active action and unity.
The President of the Parliament underlined that no future European security structure can be complete as long as an EU member state remains under foreign military occupation.
On the sidelines of the Conference, Demetriou held separate bilateral meetings with the President of the National Assembly of Serbia Ana Brnabic and the President of the House of Representatives of Luxembourg Claude Wiseler. During her meeting with Brnabic, Demetriou expressed gratitude for Serbia’s firm positions on the Cyprus issue and clarified Cyprus’ position on the Kosovo issue, emphasizing that the legalization of illegalities cannot be allowed. Brnabic thanked Demetriou for the position of the Republic of Cyprus’s authorities on Kosovo, especially during discussions at the Council of Europe. Both presidents agreed to strengthen their cooperation with further exchanges at the parliamentary level.
In her meeting with Wiseler, Demetriou discussed and reaffirmed the friendly relations between Cyprus and Luxembourg. They highlighted the importance of cooperation and the development of common synergies between small EU states to address various issues of concern, as the press release concludes.