The EU should exert pressure on Turkey to immediately stop its illegal actions, to respect the Republic of Cyprus’ sovereign rights
Statement by Neoklis Sylikiotis, AKEL MEP and AKEL Political Bureau member
28th February 2018
“President Tusk’s statement after the informal Council meeting on ending the violations in the eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean is positive, but it is not enough. Turkey has obstructed a drilling rig of the European, Italian company ENI from conducting exploratory drilling in the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone. It is to date continuing to violate International Law and the Law of the Sea with the issuing of illegal Navtexs. It continues its flagrant violations of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus.
We therefore expect the expression of practical solidarity on the part of the EU and much more drastic measures, that is, that the EU should exert pressure on Turkey to immediately stop its illegal actions, to respect the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus and to support the resumption of talks from the point where they had left off at Crans Montana so that we can arrive at a solution of the Cyprus problem.
I would like to remind you that with regards the issue of the future management of natural gas convergences have been agreed by the leaders of the two communities since 2010, to which the UN General Secretary also refers to in his latest report. These convergences ensure that with the solution of the Cyprus problem both the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots will enjoy the benefits of natural gas.” This is what the AKEL MEP, N. Sylikiotis said, inter alia, before the plenary session of the European Parliament. The subject of the debate was the informal meeting of the European Council of 23rd February 2018.
Speaking in the cycle of debate of the Political Group Heads, the AKEL MEP N. Sylikiotis, on behalf of the Confederal Group of the European United Left-Nordic Green Left, stressed that unfortunately the results of the informal European Council confirm that the EU is pursuing neo-liberal policies in violation of even its own declared principles and the interests of the peoples. As he pointed out, instead of measures being discussed to be included in the Multiannual Financial Framework to promote and enhance solidarity in order tackle the refugee crisis, the increase in the expenditure to fund the construction of a fortress in Europe was proposed, with the reinforcement of borders and patrols.
The AKEL MEP went on to point out that the EU leaders have agreed to increase investments in the military arms industry instead of proposing measures to support
the real economy, social and regional cohesion, and the fight against poverty, as well as for the creation of new quality jobs.
Concluding his intervention, N. Sylikiotis stressed that the policies the EU is promoting will lead to new wars and new waves of refugees, a characteristic example of these policies is today’s tragic situation prevailing in Syria.
