Speech by Neoklis Sylikiotis, AKEL MEP and GUE/NGL Confederal Group Vice-President, in the Political Group leaders’ round of intervention during the discussion with the President of Cyprus N. Anastasiades on the future of Europe in the plenary of the European Parliament

12 December 2018, Strasbourg

Mr. President,

I welcome you on behalf of the Confederal Group of the European United Left/Nordic Green Left to the European Parliament, conveying to you first and foremost the universal, timeless and unwavering support of our Group to the struggle Cyprus is waging against the occupation and division.

We express our support towards a solution of the Cyprus problem on the basis of the UN resolutions, International and European law, for reunification on the basis of bizonal-bicommunal federation. For a Cyprus without occupational armies and foreign “guardians”. For a common homeland of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

That is the reason why the EU bears responsibilities because instead of discussing today the upgrading of the Customs Union with Turkey, it should resolutely be demanding the fulfillment of Ankara’s obligations, including the Cyprus-related obligations.

Mr. President,

If we are discussing today – with concern and fear – the future of Europe, it is because something has gone wrong with the past and the current state of the EU, with the path it is pursuing, with the policies that are dominant because over the past years, the concerns of the peoples and demands of the working people weren’t listened to. Just two years ago, in this very Chamber, President Juncker himself was forced to admit that the EU “is losing its social character” and “risks becoming the Wild West of social dumping.” But, he didn’t admit what policies have led to this situation.

The stark truth is that the recipe of neoliberalism has been followed, with the result that European societies are plagued by unemployment, poverty, peripheral and social inequalities, while at the same time these policies are preparing the ground for racism, xenophobia and fascism. Those forces and circles who do not recognize the cause will evidently continue implementing the same recipes and carry on the same path.

Cyprus is unfortunately no exception, but rather a characteristic example because the Memoranda may have expired officially, but in reality they don’t go away. Their dramatic consequences have not only remained in society and the labour relations of a number of states, but they have now become institutionalized in EU laws through the EU Economic Governance Framework.

What is remarkable is that your government is not only implementing these very policies, but is proving to be even more neo-liberal than the neo-liberals. What’s the result? The growth that is being projected is growth only for the benefit of the privileged few. Our country tops the table across the EU with regards the increase in income inequalities and rising poverty.

Besides, we shouldn’t also forget that the two big financial crimes committed in recent years in Cyprus – the imposition of the 2013 haircut on bank deposits and the closure of the Cyprus Cooperative Bank – don’t bear the stamp just of the European Union – they are also your own “achievements” Mr. Anastasiades.

Mr. President, dear colleagues,

What Europe needs today is social justice and social solidarity. It needs an economy that works for the many. That is to say, for those who produce the wealth – not for the banks and multinational companies. Another path of growth and development is needed that will create permanent, full and dignified jobs; that will be protecting the public character of the strategic sectors of the economy and services of each country; that will strengthen social protection for the vulnerable and weak; that will not dish out wishes, without any binding force whatsoever, such as the notorious European Social Pillar.

The EU needs a bold policy to tackle climate change, outside the logic of the market, more ambitious than the Paris Agreement.

When the citizens of the EU hear that 38.5 billion Euros will be allocated to the European Defense Fund, they quite rightly wonder: How is it that money is always available for the war and arms industries, but never for social expenditures, education and health?

Finally, Europe needs an asylum and immigration policy based on International Law, humanitarian solidarity with the refugees and solidarity between member states. Cyprus is right to support the need for the establishment of a permanent mechanism for the hosting of all refugees throughout all member states according to the capabilities of each one. However, Mr. President, you first and foremost must raise this demand and put it to the European People’s Party and to those of your like-minded associates who are blocking this proposal, with the result that the southern Mediterranean states are taking on a disproportionate share of the responsibility.

Mr. President,

To fulfill all this we need different policies, or to put it better, we need another Europe.

The Europe for which the Left is struggling for.

The Europe that struggles and resists.

The Europe of the Peoples.