Those who delude themselves that there can be a settlement of the Cyprus problem through the two-state solution will find that, whoever they talk to in Europe, this thing has no basis, outgoing Vice-President of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas said, reiterating the EU’s readiness to play its role in supporting the UN-led process for the reunification of Cyprus.
Schinas was speaking on Monday evening before the Plenary Session of the European Parliament, which discussed developments in the Cyprus problem, on the occasion of the completion of 41 years since the illegal proclamation of the pseudo-state in the Turkish-occupied territories of Cyprus.
In his initial statement, the outgoing Vice-President of the European Commission stated that the European Commission position is “clear and consistent”. As he said, “we recognise the Republic of Cyprus as the only legitimate Government of Cyprus and condemn any infringement of its territorial integrity.”
He further noted that “the EU has repeatedly expressed its solidarity with the Republic of Cyprus” and that it “remains fully committed to a comprehensive settlement in Cyprus,” which “must be based on the UN framework and be based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation and with political equality, based on the founding values of our European Union.”
“The settlement in Cyprus is a key issue for the EU,” stressed Schinas, adding that “the European Commission is ready to play its role in supporting the UN-led process for the reunification of Cyprus at all stages and with all appropriate means at our disposal.”
“One of these instruments is the EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community,” he said, noting that between 2006 and 2024, the European Commission has allocated €727 million to this programme. He added that the European Commission also monitors the implementation Green Line of the EU’s Green Line Regulation.
“The EU has supported the work of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus and we are ready to continue supporting the UN-led efforts,” he stressed. “The EU encourages the leaders of the two Cypriot communities to build on the discussions held at the informal dinner in New York on 15 October hosted by the UN Secretary General,’’ Schinas went on to say.
He also expressed the EU’s readiness to work on further steps between the two communities, including the opening of new crossing points, and to create conditions conducive to the resumption of settlement talks.
“It is clear that we need a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement in Cyprus as soon as possible. This settlement would be highly beneficial for Cyprus and its citizens, as well as for security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean,” he stressed.
In his closing statement, Margaritis Schinas recalled that in 1983 he himself had protested as a student in Thessaloniki against the unilateral declaration of the pseudo-state, noting that 41 years later he had the honour of denouncing it officially in the name of Europe, given that this was his last time to speak before the European Parliament as a member of the College of Commissioners.
“The Turks should take some time to consider what they have achieved with this decision,” he said, noting that “they have achieved the ratification of their isolation – and indeed at a global level – and the ratification of an illegality that had already begun since the 1974 invasion.”
As he said, “Cyprus is now an integral member of the EU and the Eurozone, it is powerful, it is at the heart of European and international developments in a geopolitically sensitive region.”
“We want Cyprus to one day be a reunited state based on what Europe represents, which will operate effectively in accordance with the acquis communautaire from day one. This is what we want to see and this is what we are working for,” Margaritis Schinas underlined.
At the same time, he clarified that this process is under the auspices of the United Nations, adding that “our role can only be subsidiary, but I must tell you that it will be catalytic”. As he said, “without Europe there cannot be such a perspective”.
“Those who are still deluding themselves that some kind of settlement can supposedly be reached through two states or two entities have probably not spoken to anyone in Europe. Whoever they speak to in Europe, they will find that this thing has no basis anywhere, neither politically, nor in the acquis communautaire, nor economically, nor legally, nor on the basis of international law”, he pointed out.
In conclusion, Schinas spoke of “an important moment when the house of European democracy is rising to the occasion”, adding that “walls and barricades belong to the past” and that “the future belongs to European Cyprus”.
The statements of the Cypriot MEPs
In his intervention, European People’s Party (EPP) MEP, Loucas Fourlas, stated that “the European Union’s stance towards the Cyprus issue is a monument to hypocrisy”, adding that “Europe shows every day that it uses double standards” and “turns a blind eye to the ongoing Turkish occupation”.
“Europe has failed to live up to its history, to protect its own borders and to defend its members”, stressed Fourlas. “Solidarity is not a slogan. It is an action”, he pointed out. “Forty-one years is too long. It is time for this hypocrisy to end”, he indicated, referring to the 41st anniversary of the illegal proclamation of the pseudo-state.
EPP MEP Michael Hadjipantela stressed that “the international community must condemn any attempt to legitimise the illegal secessionist entity, as decided by the UN Security Council”.
“The Republic of Cyprus is a single and sovereign one”, he noted, adding that “the Cyprus problem is also a European problem”. As he said, “we want and demand the full support of the European Union”.
“Why is the violation of international law in Ukraine causing a reaction, while there is silence about Cyprus? Why have our displaced people not received compensation from European funds?”, he asked.
For his part, the MEP of the Left Group, George Georgiou, stated that the declaration of the pseudo-state is “an action that continues to violate every principle of international law”, while also pointing out that “in Cyprus there are neither 2 peoples nor 2 states”.
“We reject the occupation and the status quo. We insist on the solution to the Cyprus problem, a solution of a Bizonal Bicommunal Federation with political equality, and the reunification of Cyprus and its people”, he underlined, adding that “only in this way will the pseudo-state be abolished.”
“Otherwise, we are led to the nightmare of partition with all the suffering that this will bring for Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots”, he pointed out.
The Socialist-Democrat MEP, Costas Mavrides, said that the title of the debate in the plenary session did not include the word “Turkey”, which – as he said – created the pseudo-state, finances it and supports it. “In the occupied part of Cyprus there is no Turkish Cypriot leader, but an occupier and a vassal of Turkey”, said Mavrides, addressing Margaritis Schinas.
“Justice will prevail, and we will remember not only the crimes, but also the members of our family in Europe, who remained silent at the crucial time”, he concluded.
The Conservative-Reformist MEP, Geadis Geadi, stressed the need for Europe to be united against Turkish expansionism. He noted that the ongoing occupation must be denounced, adding that the liberation of Cyprus is a “one-way street” and calling for ‘’blocking the path to the recognition of the pseudo-state”.
“Europe must no longer remain uninvolved”, underlined Geadi, calling for strict sanctions and an arms embargo to be imposed on Turkey. Cypriot citizens are not third-class citizens, he pointed out.
In his statement, independent MEP Phidias Panayiotou stated that “both communities in Cyprus made mistakes” that “led us to division”. He also said that 95% of the solution to the Cyprus problem has been agreed, noting, however, that the negotiation process has stalled.
Furthermore, he asked the EU to encourage Turkey to return to the negotiating table.
The statements of Greek MEPs
EPP MEP, Manolis Kefalogiannis, said that 41 years after the proclamation of the pseudo-state, Turkey persists in its refusal to recognise the Republic of Cyprus, noting that the Republic of Cyprus has remained mutilated for 50 years.
EPP MEP, Dimitris Tsiodras, pointed out that the existence of the pseudo-state is an open wound in the body of Europe, emphasising that “Europe must stop turning a blind eye”, while speaking of “the disguise of the occupation regime”.
He then said that the occupation of European territory is a challenge for Europe, while indicating that the EU must exercise its influence for a solution to the Cyprus problem.
The Socialist-Democratic MEP, Yiannis Maniatis, said that Turkey continues not to implement the Ankara Protocol. He also said that the President of Turkey, Tayyip Erdogan, has abandoned pretence by speaking openly for a two-state solution in Cyprus.
He also called on the EU and the international community to pressure Turkey “for the obvious”, which is the solution of the Cyprus problem without occupying troops.
The independent MEP, Costas Papadakis, spoke of the “NATOisation” of Cyprus, while calling for solidarity with the Cyprus, which should have a single sovereignty and no troops.
What other MEPs said
EPP MEP Sebastião Bugallo said that Cyprus combines patriotism and openness, stressing that solidarity should be the norm. At the same time, he noted that Cyprus is the only EU member state that does not have full control over its territory. It is time for Cyprus to unite and the occupation to end, he concluded.
EPP MEP Reinhold Lopatka said that the Turkish occupation of Cyprus is like the Russian occupation of Ukraine, while noting that the Cyprus issue is an international issue and that “it is our duty to keep this issue on our agenda.”
“We MEPs should oppose any attempt to legitimise the pseudo-state,” he stressed.
Green MEP Rainier van Lanschot said that Cyprus is a nation with two currencies, the euro and the Turkish lira, adding that the one currency was chosen, while the other was imposed.
“We can build bridges and mutual understanding. We must focus on what unites us. We can build the Bizonal Bicommunal Federation,” he stressed.
Conservative Reformist MEP Nicolas Bay spoke of “50 years of suffering, impunity and humiliation of the EU,” which – as he said – “cannot protect its own people.”
He also said that Turkey’s EU accession process should be stopped, and the occupation of Cyprus should be ended.
Conservative Reformist MEP Carlo Fidanza spoke of a “painful situation” resulting from the occupation of part of Cyprus, noting that it constitutes a threat to the stability of the region. The territory of Cyprus must be fully restored, he added.
Socialist and Democratic MEP Juan Fernando López Aguilar, asked the outgoing Vice-President of the European Commission, how the reunification of Cyprus would be achieved. “It is not enough to condemn the invasion,” he pointed out.
Conservative and Reformist MEP Sebastian Tynkkynen said that Russia is now doing what Turkey did, by trying to change the borders of Europe. “We must not stand idly by and forget the crimes that have been committed,” he noted.
Also read: EP: Debate on Cyprus issue underscores need for solution
Source: CNA/PH/EPH
