Cypriot MEPs raised the issue of Turkey’s role in EU’s plans for a joint European defence, while Turkey continues to occupy the northern part of Cyprus, an EU member state.
Speaking during the European Parliament’s session in Strasbourg on Tuesday afternoon, during a debate on the White paper on defence, they noted that Turkey should not be included in EU’s efforts to reinforce its defence.
Defence and Space Commissioner, Andrius Kubilius, explained during the debate that joint defence is EU’s way or preparing for the worse, to avoid the worse, and called all MEPs to support the White paper.
The Special European Council on March 6 concluded that the EU will move forward to build its defence up with a budget up to 800 bln euros. European Council and Commission Presidents briefed NATO member states, the UK, Turkey, Canada, Norway and Iceland, the day after the Council’s decision.
EPP and DISI MEP, Loukas Fourlas, noted that the White paper will lead the way to a European force that will be able to defend its borders, but added that Turkey cannot be part of this effort, being a force that illegally occupies half of Cyprus. He also noted that Turkey has not complied with the sanctions against Russia, nor has proclaimed Hamas as a terrorist group.
Giorgos Georgiou, MEP of AKEL and The Left, criticized the Council’s decision for defence expenses up to 800 bln, expressing concerns for a potential impoverishment of the people of Europe, for the sake of trade profits. He also said that a necessary condition for joint defence is a joint foreign policy and noted that many are unwilling to consent to that. He accused EU leaders of assigning Turkey the role of a guarantor power for the European security, in the name of the support of Ukraine and its people, saying that they are actually eyeing the country’s rare earths and wealth.
Gadis Geadi, MEP of ELAM and the European Conservatives and Reformists group, said that the joint defence policies are in the right direction, due to geopolitical risks, but he noted the “audacity” of Turkey, referring to the Turkish President’s statements about his country being an essential part of the new defence architecture of Europe. He concluded that Turkey should not be allowed such a role and that the EU should impose sanctions against it.
Costas Mavrides, MEP of DIKO and S&D, noted that the Council’s decision on joint defence and border protection may have had been unanimous, but the EU borders are already being violated by Turkey’s occupation in Cyprus, while Turkey also occupies lands in Syria and Iraq. He noted the paradox of not considering Turkey as a threat, buy an ally in the effort for EU defence, as a NATO member state, and spoke of “hypocrisy” that needs to end.
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.
Also read: Cyprus against Turkey’s participation in European talks on Ukraine
Source: CNA
