AKEL MEP Yiorgos Georgiou addresses Turkish Foreign Minister M.Çavuşoğlu in the Foreign Affairs Committee in the European Parliament
Press release of AKEL MEP Y.Georgiou, 11th September 2020
Yesterday AKEL MEP George Georgiou addressed Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu yesterday in the Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) in the European Parliament.
Speaking on behalf of the Left Group and as the shadow rapporteur on the Progress Report on Turkey, Yiorgos Georgiou denounced Turkey’s provocative actions in the Eastern Mediterranean against Cyprus and Greece, as well as the rhetoric employed by Turkey against Cyprus, especially with regards the growing threats for the colonalisation of the fenced off area of Varosha.
It should be noted that in view of the ongoing escalation of Turkey’s provocative actions in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Republic of Cyprus and the growing threats being issued for the colonalisation of the fenced off area of Varosha, AKEL through its delegation to the European Parliament and the Confederal Group of the European United Left/Nordic Green Left (4/9/2020) has tabled a proposal for a discussion to be carried out on the issue in the Plenary Session of the EP. The proposal for discussion, which requests should be completed with the approval of a resolution, is as follows: “Turkey’s escalating provocative actions in the EEZ and Varosha and the pressing need for the resumption of negotiations aiming at a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.”
“Mr. Çavuşoğlu welcome to our meeting.
My name is Υiorgos Georgiou and I am a refugee from Cyprus.
Your country is behaving in a provocative manner against its neighbours and Europe.
Currently, Turkey is intervening in Syria and Libya.
Currently, Turkey is flagrantly violating International Law and the UN Law of the Sea.
Currently, Turkey is provoking tensions, instability and insecurity in the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea to the detriment of Greece and its other neighbours.
Turkey continues, for 46 years now, to occupy illegally the territories of the Republic of Cyprus.
You are pirately drilling in the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone.
Now you are threatening and preparing for an illegal colonalisation of the occupied and fenced-off area of Famagusta (Varosha).
I am wondering whether European officials point out your obligations and responsibilities when they meet with you.
Mr. Çavuşoğlu.
If you really want to help our Turkish Cypriot compatriots, as well as your people there is only one thing you can do. Solve the Cyprus problem in a fair way. Resolve your differences with the peoples of the region in a peaceful way.
Otherwise, history will be relentless with you, as it was with others who were pursuing similar policies in the past.”
