Debate contributions by Costas MAVRIDES

Mr President, the separatist formation in occupied Cyprus is a creation of Turkey, as the title rightly says, which maintains, finances and controls it with its occupying troops. The UN Security Council condemned his proclamation, calling on all states to refrain from direct or indirect recognition. And the European Court of Justice has ruled that this is a vassal administration in Turkey, without any legitimacy. In this puppet state, on European Union territory, Turkey transported thousands of settlers from the Turkish mainland, multiples of the Turkish Cypriots, methodically committing the crime of colonization. Now it is committing another crime, the massive usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied territories. How many crimes does he have to commit to enforce measures, how many crimes? We have many wishes, resolutions and convictions. And something for everyone watching us. The law will one day prevail. But on that day we will remember not only the crimes, we will also remember our partners, our family, who at the critical time turned their face and were silent.

Mr President, this draft legislation to ban Putin's oil and gas imports is not only about the EU, but finally to close the loopholes through third countries towards an energy-independent and stronger Europe. Regarding third countries, Turkey is a striking scandal. Even recently, Turkish officials stated that they will not comply with any sanctions, just like they do for years. The Commission, particularly the High Representative, pretend they know nothing. They are supposed to be the guardian of our collective EU interests. Specifically, a European project of common interest ending the energy isolation of Cyprus, connecting it with the European energy grid and strengthening the EU's autonomy by accessing its own energy reserves in the eastern Mediterranean is blocked by Turkey against EU interests, and the Commission considers Turkey a reliable partner for Euro defence. This is not just hypocrisy, this is bad politics for Europe.

Madam President, the recent peace conference for the Middle East brought hope for peace, but took place without the European Union. If the EU wants to be a global player, we cannot be absent from shaping peace and stability in a region that lies in our immediate neighbourhood and is of strategic importance, as confessed by the Commissioner. Strengthening our geopolitical role is essential for our future. With challenges ahead we should support and invest in this agreement as a long-due chance for stability and prosperity for the Middle East. Cyprus was at the conference – as the EU Member State closest to the region with traditional external relations with key countries there – and stands ready once again to contribute by presenting a complementary plan directed towards security, humanitarian aid and reconstruction. This complementary plan received a very warm welcome by the midnight conference yesterday, and I strongly believe that it deserves more attention and support from the European Commission.

Madam President, here is a sample of wording from Ms von der Leyen's initial statement regarding the recent Russian drone incursion against our eastern borders: 'hybrid warfare', 'deliberate campaign against Europe', 'we want to respond with unity, with the drone wall and other actions.' We fully agree with united actions to defend the EU. However, hundreds and hundreds of air, naval and terrain violations are happening by Türkiye against our borders in the eastern Mediterranean. Right now, two Turkish armed drones are violating the Cyprus FIR, not to mention the continued occupation of EU territory in Cyprus. The Commission is supposed to be the guardian of EU Treaties and values, not to divide us by silence, double standards or hypocrisies.

Madam President, new findings in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus increase the potential of energy reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean. We have repeatedly argued from this forum that the deposits in the Eastern Mediterranean, as domestic sources within the European Union, provide a unique advantage in our effort to become independent from third parties and have energy security, which we should use. This requires, however, the defence of international law, because we are facing an expansionist Turkey, which is obstructing the actions of the Republic of Cyprus, as well as Greece. Recently – just yesterday – the Turkish Foreign Minister launched new threats of war. That is why not only our European vital interests but also our values are being judged in the Eastern Mediterranean. And the decisive attitude of each one of us reveals whether we believe in our values or whether we are just pretending.

Mr President, of course, I'd like to thank the Commissioner for what he has already said about the Cyprus and Turkish responsibility towards EU. However, I want everyone to note that the appropriate person for tonight's discussion and debate was supposed to be the High Representative, and I have noticed that since the inception of her term, she never attended and never participated in any debate about Cyprus. I leave everyone to answer the question: why?

Mr President, this resolution is about five European citizens, Cypriot nationals that, while visiting their properties in the occupied area of Cyprus, were illegally detained and subjected to inhumane treatment by the occupying regime established and ruled by Turkey. I would like to thank my colleagues for their support in drafting this strong resolution, particularly with two references specifically. First, in condemning the deliberate intimidation tactics by the occupying regime, such as this illegal detention aiming to terminate the criminal action by the Republic of Cyprus against usurpers of occupied Greek-Cypriot properties. We extend our full support to the Republic of Cyprus to enforce the EU rule of law. Second, we urge the European Commission and the External Service to take all necessary measures, including punitive ones, against Turkey, in order to secure their release. This morning, the Commission President talked about EU defence and security, but said nothing about Turkey and the occupation of EU territory in Cyprus. The credibility of EU defence and security is tested in Cyprus, and the Commission President failed in the eyes of many European citizens, including myself.

Mr President, the recent attack against the Mar Elias Orthodox Church is one more atrocity taking place under the new jihadist regime in Syria. From the very beginning, the new rulers, according to credible reports, the same organisations that serve as our sources of information for the crimes committed during the Assad regime, hundreds of people were murdered in their homes, thousands were tortured and abducted, including children, women and men, and even more were forcibly displaced by the new jihadist regime. All of these individuals were targeted solely because of their identity or religion. And they were Alawites, Druze, Christians and Kurds. We condemn the atrocities committed against members of ethnic and religious communities and ask for action by the High Representative. However, as long as the mastermind and the promoter of all these atrocities, the Erdoğan regime, is considered a strategic partner by some of our representatives and offices in the EU, unfortunately the deadly attack on Mar Elias will not be the last one.

Mr President, Commissioner, we have listened to you very carefully. Now you will listen to us, the representatives of the Republic of Cyprus. 51 years since the Turkish invasion and ongoing occupation, with thousands killed, executed, hundreds of women brutally raped between the ages of 12 and 70, missing people still searching for their bones. And those of us who escaped and went through the refugee crisis from children and unfortunately to this day, the fundamental rights of Cypriot European citizens and Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots are being brutally violated by Turkey. And this debate is taking place here today, because the Cyprus problem is a European problem. Turkey occupies territory of the European Union and what I will tell you now is happening on European territory. Two clear crimes. Sterilization of Greek Cypriot properties as we speak, linked to money laundering. The second crime. Illegal settlement. Turkey is transferring settlers, an army, creating infrastructure to Cyprus, and the evidence shows today, on the assumption of the occupying regime, that there is no Turkish Cypriot leader, but within Turkey and it is the choice of settlers. I'm finishing up. In order for these crimes to exist, there are criminals. And we demand the obvious. Just as measures have been taken in the case of Ukraine and we, who believe in European principles and values, in international law, have demanded that you do the same. And the only prospect that exists is the European Union. The European Union provides the guarantee for the fundamental rights of the European citizens of Cyprus and that is why we are defending the European Union, whose future is also being judged in Cyprus today.

Madam President, we thank the rapporteur and colleagues for their constructive cooperation. Montenegro, as already highlighted, remains the most advanced candidate country of the Western Balkans. The accession path of candidate countries depends solely on their compliance with the specific Copenhagen political criteria, which ensure their commitment to our values and the rule of law. In this report, we welcome progress in implementing important reforms, as well as Montenegro's alignment with the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy. We also underline the importance of reforms in areas such as media freedom, electoral law and the fight against corruption. We note, however, that Montenegrin citizens strongly support their accession, as do the majority of political forces. As the European Parliament, we recognise this commitment of Montenegro and we expect to have the pleasure in this mandate, perhaps even during Cyprus' Presidency of the European Council, to welcome Montenegro to our European family.

Madam President, RRF has been an unprecedented instrument aiming to help the recovery and resilience in the EU after the Covid pandemic. As a group, we have always stood for the full use of the opportunities it offers for the benefit of our societies. In this specific report, we call for an 18-month extension for the implementation of mature projects, with the possibility for the finalisation of ongoing projects also through other funding schemes. Protecting these projects is a matter of economic and social responsibility, and flexibility and consistency are required from the Commission. Also, due to our group's leading role, the need to tackle the housing crisis is included, urging the Member States to accelerate investments in affordable housing for all using RRF funds. We acknowledge, though, the positive impact of the RRF on society and the economy, while we are concerned about the gap in public investments. We call for the continuation of EU support for public investment without diverting resources from existing programmes and, moreover, to create a common, permanent long-term investment instrument.

Mr President, in the last plenary we voted overwhelmingly in favour of the report on Turkey, which is a catapult against Turkey, described as a tyrannical regime within, and an international offender and expansionist outside its borders, including of course the occupation of European Union territory in Cyprus. Essentially, Turkey is failing in the criteria on the basis of which it was granted accession status and is bluntly violating its obligations to the European Union. As a European Parliament, we should be proposing either the termination of its accession procedures or the imposition of sanctions, for example, the suspension of the customs union. Neither of them. Instead, cooperation is proposed in strategic areas such as trade, energy and possibly defence. That's what Turkey wants. For those who consider Turkey's accession regime to be a lever of pressure, Erdogan responds furiously that he wants the European Council to secure his accession status. And those who talk about Euro-defense with Turkey, these two, Turkey and Euro-defense, don't go together.

Madam President, the new Sultan of Ankara, during his recent illegal visit to the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus, repeated his repulsive demands based on the so-called realities of the occupation of EU territory and the gross violation of fundamental rights of European citizens. This is, in fact, the mindset of a neo‑Ottoman tyrant and an expansionist. In his repulsive mind, thousands of years of Hellenic civilisation, of Christianity, do not exist. In his mindset, the Republic of Cyprus, a member of the EU, does not exist. The free will of today's European citizens of Cyprus, Greeks, Turkish, Maronites, Armenians and Latins does not exist. The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, the rule of law, do not exist. International law, the sovereign rights of Cyprus, do not exist. A few hours ago in this House, with all political groups, we supported the condemnation of his illegal visit, and you have a clear message: our realities are justice, democracy and liberty. That is why this noble reality will prevail against the neo‑Ottoman evil.

Madam President, it has been more than 10 years since the banking union was agreed upon with a European deposit insurance scheme. However, it has not been implemented. Banking union without EDIS means banking union without fair competition, as the burden of deposit insurance falls on the Member States. In fact, larger states have a competitive advantage over smaller ones due to their size, as demonstrated by the brutal haircut of deposits in Cyprus. However, given the current confidence and profitability in the banking sector, while the risks remain, this may be a favourable time for action, conditional on political will of those Member States that impose it. Regarding Member States with a long record of abusive practices and terms in banking contracts, resulting in legal charges at the expense of consumers and businesses, an effective out-of-court settlement mechanism is required. The absence for decades of such mechanisms, such as in Cyprus, led people and businesses to bankruptcy and other social damages.

Mr President, the rapporteur has admittedly had a very difficult job, but this report is indeed a catapult of findings, which characterise Turkey as a tyrannical regime within with a policy of neo-Ottoman expansionism outside. In particular, the report documents Turkey's failure in the criteria on the basis of which it was granted accession status. Moreover, today's Turkey is an anti-European power, with its own agenda, which simultaneously continues its occupation of the territory of the European Union in Cyprus and elsewhere. Normally, there are two options: either sanctions or termination of the accession regime. But the Commissioner did not say a word. Instead, it proposes strategic cooperation. Commissioner, what you are proposing is strategic hypocrisy, and you have an obligation to defend the values of the European Union.

Madam President, although in principle we agree with the facts as stated by my colleague, I'd like to say that, on behalf of the S&D group, we have proposed an alternative which has already been accepted. However, the title would be 'the illegal visit of President Erdoğan to the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus' with one round group of speakers without resolution. However, I'd like to announce the following: on behalf of my group, I also announce our strong commitment to table an oral amendment by the rapporteur on the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Turkey that would take place during the voting on Wednesday, and of course we expect to have the full support of this House.

Madam President, we support President Christodoulides in his effort to withdraw the Turkish occupation troops, end the occupation and resolve the Cyprus problem in accordance with the European acquis and the principles and resolutions of the UN. Our obligation as a body is concrete – a European Republic of Cyprus with all its territories, without occupying troops and settlers. Implement the Treaties of the European Union defining the European Union as an area of freedom, security and justice and implement the binding Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. That is our obligation. However, the heads of the European Commission and the High Representative, instead of confronting Turkey, which occupies European Union territory in Cyprus, with the same vigour as they confront Russia, promote it in Eurodefence. This is unacceptable and does not fool European citizens. The time has finally come to end the accession regime of neo-Ottoman Turkey.

Mr President, for years, very few of us were arguing in favour of European defence as a necessary step towards European autonomy. Today, almost everyone supports it, and we recently reached European conclusions with reference to the defence of all EU borders, from the northeast down to the south and eastern Mediterranean. But these EU borders are violated by the neo-Ottoman Turkey that occupies part of Cyprus. Currently, neo-Ottoman Turkey occupies also part of Syria and Iraq, it has a military presence in Libya and beyond. This neo-Ottoman Turkey has illegally intervened in the eastern Mediterranean, violating the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea against two EU Member States. Paradoxically, though, the neo-Ottoman Turkey is considered an ally more than a threat. In fact, the Presidents of the Council and of the Commission had a teleconference the day after the conclusions to brief our partners, including Erdoğan, about European defence. Mr Commissioner, this is hypocrisy in action. It divides us, and I strongly believe that it will not fool this House, neither the EU citizens.

Madam President, I will be quite short because the subject has already been mentioned by some of my colleagues. It is with regard to the situation in Syria. Based on reports by agencies that were our sources of information during the Assad regime, hundreds of people have been murdered in their homes, thousands were tortured and kidnapped, including kids and women and men. Much more were expelled by the new jihadist regime simply because the victims are Alawites, Druze or Christians. For this reason, I will kindly ask the following: let's show our conscience by observing a one-minute silence.

Mr President, in 2001, the European Court of Human Rights found Turkey guilty for a continued violation of a number of conventions and articles, specifically with regard to the whereabouts and faith of Greek Cypriot missing persons during the Turkish invasion of 1974. Since then, as the European Parliament, we condemn Turkey for its actions, specifically for the intentional removal of human remains in its efforts to cover up its regional crimes committed by the Turkish Army under state orders. Despite court decisions, Turkey refuses still today to provide crucial information, such as access to military archives and access to so-called military zones. This behaviour is simply an extension of the original crime 50 years ago, and this country remains in the accession process.

Mr President, Mrs Lagarde, in taking up your duties I was the rapporteur for this report and I will try to be fair to you today. Congratulations on the stability of the euro in difficult times and the containment of inflation. However, two issues remain unresolved and I will limit myself to them, both of which concern the lack of fair competition in the banking system. We do not yet have a pan-European bank deposit guarantee scheme and unfortunately this burden falls on the Member States and the case of Cyprus has already been mentioned and this is reflected in both domestic interest rates and the economy. The second concerns abusive practices and conditions accumulated in banking contracts to the detriment of consumers and in particular borrowers. I believe that the European Central Bank can play a more active and effective role in the fair, I repeat, banking system.

Madam President, after the overthrow of the Assad regime, we have a historic opportunity as the European Union for peace and stability in Syria and more broadly in the Middle East. On the basis of some parameters: first, protection of ethnic and religious communities; secondly, the jihadists cannot be our allies, and their renaming as supposedly moderate political opposition does not fool European citizens or this Parliament; Third, every impartial observer knows that the Erdoğan regime has worked with jihadists for years, and the Islamic State today continues its expansionism to turn Syria into a protectorate. This is the Ottoman policy. It is the enemy of the peoples of the region. It is the same power that occupies the territory of Cyprus, the territory of the European Union. But Mrs Kallas called him a strategic partner. Those who believe in values defend these values in practice.

Mr President, social dialogue, including collective bargaining, is a crucial and beneficial tool for a well-functioning social market economy – one of the aims of the Treaties, as rightly pointed out by the Commissioner. In line with the Treaties, though, it's also the explicit protection of the autonomy of the tripartite social system in Member States. Now, regarding the EU directive on adequate minimum wages in the EU, I will concentrate on two specific issues. First, how do we go about increasing the collective bargaining, particularly in order to protect the least-protected employees in the private sector? Two – Madam Commissioner, listen to this – the minimum wage must be connected with minimum hourly pay, to avoid cases like in Cyprus, where two employees get the same statutory minimum monthly wage with different weekly or monthly working hours, resulting in up to a 25 % hourly pay difference. And a last wish. Wishing you, in the language of the New Testament …

Mr President, the toppling of the brutal Assad regime is a historical opportunity for peace and stability in Syria and beyond. But what are our clear priorities with overwhelming consensus of this House? First, the protection of minorities, ethnic and religious, particularly Christians and Kurds. Second, jihadists cannot be our partners: to nominate a wanted terrorist as a moderate political opposition can not fool EU citizens, neither this House. Regarding Turkey – High Representative, after meeting recently with the Turkish Foreign Minister, you nominated Turkey as a strategic partner. This is wrong, but fortunately there is time to reconsider. In our campaign against the Islamic State and jihadists, Kurds were our brave partner while Turkish intelligence and Fidan's orders supplied arms and logistics to the jihadists. The Erdoğan regime – the occupier of EU territory in Cyprus – is connected with terrorist organisations in the areas: from Hamas to Muslim Brotherhood, from Libya to Syria, while now the attack on Kurds in Kobani is imminent. High Representative – silence is not just morally wrong, but a tragic geopolitical mistake.

Mr President, in the title of today's debate, which is the condemnation of the illegal unilateral declaration of the separatist entity in Cyprus, one word is missing. The separatist entity was created by Turkey. Turkey created the pseudo-state. Turkey finances it, supports it. To date, Turkey has maintained occupation troops in a puppet state in Cyprus. The UN Security Council has definitively determined that it is an illegal entity and has called on all states to refrain from actions that could directly or indirectly constitute its recognition. The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that this is a vassal administration in Turkey, without any legitimacy. But here, in our common home, we avoid putting the word "Turkey". There is no Turkish Cypriot leader in the occupied part of Cyprus, Mr Schinas. There is an occupying leader, a vassal in Turkey. And because there are voices in the occupied part of Cyprus, voices of liberation and European voices, Turkey transported hundreds of thousands of settlers from the Turkish mainland. This crime of colonization is before the International Criminal Court, without ever proceeding for ten years. The law will prevail one day, and we will remember not only the crimes, but also the friends in our family who were silenced at the critical time.