Turkey issues threats, but also wants to secure promises
Intervention by AKEL MEP G. Georgiou, in the plenary of the European Parliament on the European Council Turkey Conclusions and the results of the EU-Turkey meeting
27TH April 2021
We haven’t come here today to talk about the “safogate”, nor about the “strong words” addressed to Mr. Erdogan, which, by the way, we didn’t hear.
Mrs. von der Leyen, Mr. Michel,
We came here to talk about actions. And unfortunately every time we always see the same old thing occurring…
Namely that Turkey issues threats, but also seeks to secure promises for itself.
We see a European Council that is indecisive between two approaches. That is to say, on the one hand it talks about principles and the need to defend them and on the other it serves its own selfish economic interests. This is indeed a difficult task!
It is no coincidence that you admit that the EU considers the strengthening of cooperation with Turkey for mutual benefit is of strategic importance.
But benefit for whom, though?
And with which Turkey?
Is it the Turkey that wears, just for a few days, a different mask seeking to portray a different image, but at the same time a Turkey that is undermining democracy, murdering women, imprisoning elected MP’s, threatening neighboring states, trying to reverse international treaties, creating fait accompli in Famagusta and boasting that with the first opportunity it will invade Cyprus again?
Is it with the Turkey that is going to the informal Geneva five-party meeting on the Cyprus problem promoting the idea of a two state solution, where the EU will be absent from because that is precisely what Mr. Erdogan demanded?
How could you accept this insult?
You state in the Council conclusions that the EU is looking forward to the resumption of the talks on the Cyprus problem. How do you ensure that you will have an active involvement by being outside the building where the meeting will take place? You aren’t even going to be outside the room of the talks…
Mr. Erdogan shakes his whip provocatively in front of leading EU officials, demanding that he secures all the promises for itself. Furthermore, you will probably give Turkey the promises it wants…
There are limits to the concessions, as well as to the flexibility that can be shown towards Turkey. There are however no limits to defending principles. That is precisely why the EU’s approach to principles is already collapsing…
But be careful, because this stand doesn’t affect only Cyprus but the whole of the EU!
