Georgiou’s priority question to Commission
AKEL MEP Giorgos Georgiou submitted a priority question to the European Commission today. He highlights the serious ongoing case of two Greek Cypriots arbitrarily detained in Turkish-occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus. Georgiou demands the Commission’s immediate and substantive intervention.
He denounces that despite prior interventions and a European Parliament resolution, the two Greek Cypriots remain under arbitrary restrictive conditions. “Authorities” accuse them on the pretext of data privacy violations. Their case grows grave as they face documented health issues, stay trapped without free movement and lack guaranteed access to proper medical care.
Rights violations undermine justice efforts
This ongoing situation constitutes a blatant violation of fundamental human rights. It harms the victims and their families, undermines justice principles and negatively impacts UN Secretary-General efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem. Georgiou presses the Commission on why it limits itself to vague appeals instead of activating specific political and legal pressure tools against Turkey.
He asks for the immediate unconditional release of the two Greek Cypriots and prevention of future illegal arbitrary acts. Georgiou also queries whether the Commission intends to explicitly link the case to EU-Turkey relations progress, funding to Turkey and its obligations as a candidate country. If not, he seeks justification for its inaction.
Fourlas slams EU selective sensitivity
DISY and EPP MEP Loukas Fourlas denounced from the European Parliament rostrum the illegal detention of two Greek Cypriot compatriots by occupation authorities. He also condemned Turkey’s hundreds of violations of Cyprus’ airspace and territorial waters. During discussions on European Council preparations, Ukraine support and transatlantic relations, Fourlas sharply criticised the EU.
He accused the EU of showing dangerous selective sensitivity. “The truth is uncomfortable: our European family does not handle similar situations the same way,” Fourlas stated. He pointed out that while the EU rightly defends Ukraine’s territorial integrity, it forgets a member state – Cyprus – under Turkish occupation for nearly five decades.
Reminder of Parliament resolution
Fourlas recalled that Turkey has illegally held the two Greek Cypriots in occupied areas for five months as retaliation for convicting property usurpers. He reminded that the European Parliament overwhelmingly demanded their immediate release last September through a resolution. Turkey showed no compliance.
He added that Turkey committed 328 air violations and 16 naval violations in Cyprus alone during July and August. “And what do we do? We continue the ‘positive agendas’ with Erdogan. Turkey signals no cooperation with Europe during the next six months of the Cyprus presidency. How do you comment on that?” Fourlas challenged.
Also read: Cyprus denounces Turkish aerial and naval violations to UN
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