Averoff's intervention:
"A few months ago, we warned that, unfortunately, we are not done with international crises. We said that the challenges ahead of us are big and complex.
These are historic days, unfortunately, not in a positive way. We are deeply concerned about the brutal disregard for the rules of international law on the basis of which we are painstakingly building our own arguments for our national problem. We are concerned that the world, due to the unacceptable Russian aggression, seems to be entering a new and long page of cold war.
Cyprus cannot remain silent in the assertion of the law of the strong over the law. This is not only a threat to the international legal order, but also has a significant impact on our own case. We are always on the side of the law. We have an obligation to side with the law.
That is why it is imperative that we condemn Russia's attack on Ukraine in the strongest possible terms. Without any spin, without hiding in the difficult moment, without "yes, but". The invasion is unjustified, illegal and criminal. Period.
The war must stop now. Diplomacy is always the right method to provide solutions to international problems.
Anyone who for small interests suggests equal distances in such cases, beyond the short-sightedness and moral unacceptability of the event, undermines our own national cause at the same time. We have paid dearly in the past for pretentious neutrality.
I want to praise the courage of the Ukrainian people who are resisting with vigour, self-denial and heroism in the face of a military superpower. The Ukrainians deserve not only our admiration but also practical support and assistance by every possible means, both from us, as much as we can, and, above all, from the international community.
At the same time, I would like to express my sorrow in the face of every human loss. We are shocked by the death of 10 of our civilian compatriots, Greeks of the diaspora in the Mariupol region, by Russian air strikes. I express my sincere condolences to their families.
The Ukrainian people are being forced out today to live in exile. Especially we, who know what this uprising means, will give every possible support to the Ukrainian refugees. The government already declares itself ready in this direction, and the Cypriot people - I am sure - will stand by us in every possible way.
As Europeans, we are concerned about the challenge to the European security architecture, the foundation of our common perspective. A challenge that comes after a period of inertia and introspection that we must finally overcome.
Our position to our European partners is clear: The time has come to drastically accelerate steps towards a common security and defence policy.
The European Defence Union is the path to future peace and a catalyst for resolving our national issue. In this context, the debate on strategic autonomy is urgent.
As Cyprus - a country constantly in the shadow of the Turkish threat - we will push in all ways in this direction. The Democratic Rally within the European People's Party will do the same.
I would also like to refer to what concerns our country. Because, as we have responsibly done in the past nine years, we have to ensure its security and stability today and in the next five years.
Ukraine has added issues to our agenda that we need to address in the coming period. And we will deal with them adequately.
There is one formula we must follow: unity, calm, unanimity and effective work at home. Mobility and fruitful initiatives abroad.
Our economy will endure once again, thanks to our sound and intelligent policies. The foundations of our economy today are solid, nothing like the ones we had in 2013. The hard work of the last nine years has given us great resilience.
But you know I always tell the truth. There will be economic shocks, especially in the near future, that we will have to absorb to come out of this new crisis strong again.
Our tourism will likely be affected, at a time when we need the massive influx of visitors. With hard work and based on the strategy we already have in place to diversify markets, and the good, tourist name Cyprus is building, we will do everything possible to minimise the impact.
There are likely to be issues and further increases in a number of imported raw materials. We will suggest ways to the government so that, there is containment of the financial burden.
Our financial services will face challenges because of the sanctions imposed so we need responsibility and seriousness in managing them.
We are concerned about energy at a time when inflation is already galloping.
Together and in consultation with the European Commission, practical and workable decisions must be taken immediately to support consumers and businesses.
As the Democratic Rally, we are working on concrete measures to propose to the government to balance possible increases with corresponding tax reductions.
There is no doubt that the long-term solution to the energy issue can only be a European one. The Union's plans need to be reviewed and accelerated. The view, after all, that the interdependence of Central Europe and Russia in energy would ensure peace has been shattered.
Europe's energy security is coming back to the fore and Cyprus can make a substantial contribution to this planning, as can the wider south-eastern Mediterranean region.
For our economy, one thing is certain: It needs a firm commitment to the reform effort in the years to come. To complete the transition, as soon as possible, to the new model, the sustainable growth model, and to use the resources of the Recovery and Resilience Fund.
Resisting with vigour the populists who only end up bringing misery and poverty. And I want to dwell on something that has bothered - I believe - every democrat and free man. Populism of a sort, but I could understand it. But how random is it to protest about precision on the days of a war in Europe?
On a day when people are being killed in Europe by the unprovoked Russian invasion? An invasion, in fact, that in itself causes accuracy? Frankly, I leave them to the discretion of the people.
I have left the most important thing last: our national issue. As I said at the beginning, we are concerned by any development that weakens international law and normalises the violation of sovereignty and borders.
On the other hand, this development, and especially the outcry that accompanies it in Europe and the West, may represent an unexpected opportunity to bring our national problem back to the fore. For the black day of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine was preceded by another black day for humanity, that of the illegal Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
Europe and the West are rightly indignant about the invasion of Ukraine. But it ought to resent every invasion and not accept the results of any occupation.
This is what we must be there to remind them of. And as the Democratic Rally, once the military operations are over, we will undertake such an international campaign.
Already, recently, the initiatives of President Anastasiades and Ioannis Kasoulides have given hope to the issue of Varosha. These initiatives should be intensified after the crisis in Ukraine.
Because, there is also a great danger: if the revisionist tendencies of the Russian leadership seem to succeed, this will undoubtedly encourage the correspondingly unacceptable revisionist tendencies of Mr. Ertogan.
In difficult times like these, the government, the Democratic Rally and I personally do not hide. We step forward, in the front line.
With clear positions and a willingness to come to an understanding with all political forces. To offer guidance, support, hope and solutions to the problems of the citizen and the challenges of our country.
To have power means to have responsibility. Seeking power means not hiding.
Sophisticated neutrals are crushed in the millstones of such an international confrontation.
The party that I have the privilege of leading is the only one that can have the perception, the knowledge and the ability to manage this whole complex scenario to ensure the stability and security of the country and to ensure the future of its citizens."
The party that I have the privilege of leading is the only one that can have the perception, the knowledge and the ability to manage this whole complex scenario to ensure the stability and security of the country and to ensure the future of its citizens.
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
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