MEPs expressed their support to efforts to solve the Cyprus problem during their interventions following the speech by President Nikos Christodoulides at the Plenary of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, while also making references to issues such as golden passports and sanction circumvention, and furthermore commenting on particular issues relating to migration and the green transition.
In his response, which took place in the context of the ‘This is Europe’ series of speeches by leaders of EU states and governments, Christodoulides said he was encouraged by the responses of the MEPs, and thanked them ‘for supporting our initiative to have the EU more actively involved’ in efforts to solve the Cyprus Problem.
Christodoulides also said that he is glad to see challenges faced by Cyprus and other countries on migration being understood, adding that the EU ‘cannot afford the luxury of failing’ on this issue, and that problems will only be solved ‘if we also tackle the root causes underpinning migration’.
Responding to comments regarding the use of natural gas in the context of the green transition, Christodoulides said that his reference to oil and gas is related to the role that these energy sources can play as a ‘bridge’ towards the aims of the European Green Deal.
Referring to a comment by a Portugese Socialdemocrat MEP on the issue of missing persons, the President said that Cyprus appreciates the Parliament’s support, and added that ‘the families of missing persons, either Greek Cypriots or Turkish Cypriots are entitled to recover the remains of their loved ones and know the circumstances under which they went missing’.
Concluding, President Christodoulides said that all those that deal with politics have a historic duty to work together in order for the legacy of the European project to be passed on to the new generations ‘greater, more mature and stronger.’
Christodoulides pointed out that his vision for a stronger Europe is based on a ‘reunified and strong Cyprus that will be an even more active member of the EU.’
The President sent a message to ‘our Turkish Cypriot compatriots, who are also citizens of the Republic of Cyprus, are also citizens of the EU’ noting that their future, as well as of all communities, ‘is based on the fact that we are a member state of the EU’. He stressed that his greater achievement and legacy as the President of all Cypriots ‘is to bequeath to our children a reunified country.’
Speaking on behalf of the EPP, Manfred Weber called on Erdogan to ‘stop his imperial games’, noting that the end of elections might create an opportunity. He also said it is good to see Cypriots stand next to Ukrainians, as they know what it is like to be attacked and live with an open wound.
On behalf of the S and D, Cypriot MEP Marios Mavrides said that the EU is facing multiple challenges that require European solutions and a holistic approach, adding the the unity that the EU displayed in multiple crises should also be applied when it comes to Cyprus.
The head of Renew, Stephane Sejourne, pointed out that it is wrong to see the Cyprus problem as something that only concerns Cyprus, and added that Renew supports the President’s proposal for the appointment of an EU envoy.
On behalf of the Greens, Philippe Lamberts expressed his group’s disagreements with the proposed migration deal, and added that Cyprus should show solidarity itself when it comes to fighting money laundering, and also in moving away from fossil fuels, adding that natural gas cannot have a role.
Speaking on behalf of the Left group, Cypriot MEP Giorgos Georgiou pointed out that Brussels does not seem too excited about increased involvement in the Cyprus problem. He added that relations with Turkey are evolving towards a special relationship which will remove the EU’s current leverage. He also referred to the spyware scandal, and expressed his group’s disagreement with the migration package.
In a separate intervention, Cypriot EPP MEP Loucas Fourlas said that the EU has approached Cyprus and Turkey with double standards, and that Europe should stand next to Cyprus and show solidarity in practice.
Cypriot Niyazi Kizilyurek, also of the Left group, underlined that there is no other realistic solution than a federation. He added that both a two state solution and any refusal of Turkish Cypriot political equality are unacceptable.
EPP MEP Eleni Stavrou referred to the fact that she is the only woman Greek Cypriot MEP and called on the President to address the issue of gender equality and how he aims to fix inequalities.
Finally, Cypriot MEP Demetris Papadakis referred to the scandals that have plagued the public image of Cyprus and that voters elected Christodoulides expecting real change, adding that he expects actions regarding the Cyprus problem.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
Source: Cyprus News Agency