There can be no sustainable de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean without a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue, European Commission Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms Raffaele Fitto said on Thursday.
Speaking at the European Parliament plenary in Strasbourg during a debate on escalating tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean, Fitto reiterated the EU’s “full solidarity” with Cyprus and Greece.
Fitto, who is also the Commission’s special representative for the Cyprus issue, said sustainable de-escalation in Greek-Turkish relations and across the Eastern Mediterranean is essential for regional stability and security, as well as for advancing EU-Turkey relations in a gradual, proportionate and reversible manner.
Specifically addressing the Cyprus issue, he said that “without a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, sustainable de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean would be impossible”.
He reiterated that the EU continues to support a comprehensive settlement within the United Nations framework, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the principles on which the European Union is founded.
‘Full solidarity’ with Cyprus and Greece
In his initial intervention, Fitto described the Eastern Mediterranean as a region of geostrategic importance to the stability and security of the EU, noting that the Union is present in the region through its member states, Cyprus and Greece.
He said the Commission is closely monitoring recent developments which, according to him, are contributing to renewed tensions.
The issues are being discussed both with the Greek authorities and with Turkish counterparts.
Fitto stressed that Turkey must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all EU member states, in accordance with European and international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
He also emphasised the importance of restarting negotiations on the Cyprus issue and Turkey’s constructive participation in those efforts.
“We must not forget that the entire island of Cyprus is part of the EU and that Turkish Cypriots are EU citizens,” he said.
Differences between Greece and Turkey, Fitto added, should be addressed through good-faith dialogue, restraint, respect for international law and good neighbourly relations.
He assured MEPs that the EU would continue to defend its own interests and those of its member states and stand alongside Greece and Cyprus.
In his closing remarks, Fitto again acknowledged concerns surrounding recent developments but stressed the need to cooperate with Turkey to advance the objectives of the EU and its member states in the region and beyond.
Cypriot MEPs raise concerns over Turkey
DISY MEP Loucas Fourlas referred to hundreds of violations of Greek airspace and questioned whether Greece and Cyprus are treated in the same way as other EU member states when it comes to security.
He also referred to Turkey’s casus belli and the obstruction of energy projects, describing such actions as threats to the security of Cyprus and Greece.
Fellow DISY MEP Michalis Hadjipantela argued that Turkish actions concern not only Cyprus and Greece but the sovereignty of the EU itself.
He referred to Cyprus as a country that remains partly under occupation and argued that Turkey is moving further away from its European perspective.
AKEL MEP Giorgos Georgiou raised Turkey’s “Blue Homeland” doctrine, Turkish plans for marine parks, the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection and statements by the Turkish President advocating a two-state solution in Cyprus.
Stressing that Greece and Cyprus are EU member states, he questioned the Union’s response to developments, asking: “Europe, quo vadis?”
DIKO MEP Costas Mavrides referred to the continuing occupation of EU territory in Cyprus and violations of the sovereign rights of both Greece and Cyprus.
He criticised the EU’s so-called positive agenda towards Turkey and questioned why the Union imposes sanctions on Russia but not on Turkey.
ELAM MEP Geadis Geadi also criticised the EU’s approach towards Turkey, referring to claims over Greek islands, energy projects and the presence of Turkish troops in Cyprus.
He called for measures and sanctions, arguing that without EU action there could be no effective deterrence.
Greek MEPs address Aegean tensions
EPP MEP Elissavet Vozemberg referred to violations of Greek airspace, Turkey’s plans for marine parks and its “Blue Homeland” doctrine.
She called for an EU response and argued that a threat against one member state must be treated as an issue affecting the Union as a whole.
S&D MEP Yannis Maniatis referred to alleged violations of Greek territorial waters and airspace, the obstruction of the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection and construction of a natural gas pipeline between Turkey and the north of Cyprus.
He called on the Commission to clarify what its commitment to protecting member states’ rights means in practice and also raised concerns over Turkey’s participation in Europe’s defence architecture.
MEP Maria Zacharia also intervened in the debate, noting that 52 years after the invasion, Cyprus continues its course while part of its territory remains under occupation.
She criticised the EU’s stance towards Turkey and questioned whom European defence policy is ultimately intended to protect.
Source: CNA
