Debate contributions by Costas MAVRIDES

Mr President, the listing of Russia as a high-risk country for money laundering and terrorist financing, given robust proof, is an important step in combating such criminal and dirty operations. As pointed out by the Commissioner, our aim is to weaken Russia's aggression in Ukraine, being in line with our values and our security. But why remain silent when it comes to other countries, such as Turkey, an authoritarian regime in bed with Putin that openly provides shelter and financing to Hamas and other terrorists? As far as money laundering, Turkey maintains, in the occupied part of Cyprus, a regime where money laundering is 'business as usual' for Russian oligarchs. Therefore, blacklisting Russia, but not Turkey, is not only hypocritical; it's also against our values and against our interests.

Madam President, this case is another proof, along with many others, that in Erdogan's Turkey freedom of expression is a criminal offence. But this problem is a chronic situation in Turkey, where the regime has turned the judiciary into its tool. Indicators from international organisations record this in their assessments. The competent committee of the Council of Europe has documented this for years. When the judiciary is a tool of a government, this country, like Turkey, is a dictatorship. But Erdogan's long hand, Erdogan's ruthless hand, not only journalists, academics, activists, Kurds and other peoples within Turkey are at risk. This ruthless hand reaches into occupied Cyprus, where voices within the Turkish Cypriot community refuse to submit to Erdogan's neo-Ottoman and brutal regime. But this resolution will be added on top of many others. The issue is sanctions. That's what we need to look for.

Mr President, the Commissioner explained how united we defended international law in the case of Ukraine and how we reacted to Putin's aggression and at the same time moved towards an autonomous energy union. Cyprus did so at enormous cost, because we believe in international law and we ourselves are victims of the violation of international law by Turkey's aggression. But, unfortunately, we remain the only Member State without energy interconnection with the rest of Europe. These days, decisions are being made on a project, the Great Sea Interconnector, that will connect the Middle East with Europe through Cyprus. A project that will provide security and reduced costs to Cypriot consumers as well as to Europe. If we mean our declarations about the values of the European Union, about solidarity and the defence of international law, then with the same fervor, Commissioner, we should defend these in the case of Cyprus, if neo-Ottoman Turkey does anything, in violation of international law in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Madam President, as we are a full house, I would rather speak in English. On behalf of the Cypriot citizens, I would like to thank you for your statement. Cyprus’ issue is a European problem and that is why we are discussing it here today. We mark today the 50 years since the blatant invasion in 1974 and the ongoing illegal occupation of more than a third of Cyprus’ territory by Türkiye that violates the fundamental rights of Cypriot citizens with the ongoing tragedy of thousands of missing, displaced and enclaved persons. The EU’s main priority should be the end of the Turkish occupation and the restoration of the rights and freedoms of all Cypriot citizens. Greek Cypriots, Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians and Latins all have the right to enjoy the same freedoms just like any other European citizens. As you rightly mentioned, Madam President, a lasting and valuable solution for the Cyprus issue shall be in line with the UN Security Council resolutions and in line with our EU values and the acquis. The EU is the best guarantor of all Cypriots and no one else. Türkiye has the acquis and that is what the European citizens of Cyprus expect from the EU and from all of us.