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Speaking at the session on "Security Challenges for Europe and the Middle East in Conditions of Geopolitical Turmoil"[/I], Petrides noted that we are in a difficult international situation where "the only certainty is uncertainty."
However, he stressed that in the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the EU acted with unanimity and with great speed. "We immediately adopted all decisions and saw that the only way to address issues of stability and security is with unity and immediate reaction."
Referring to Turkey, the Cypriot Defence Minister noted that it is implementing revisionist policies, which are not in line with the EU and international law. Petridis argued that Turkey is "playing a dual role, blaming Greece and Cyprus and threatening both in the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean."
In this context, he noted that Turkey is making violations in the Cypriot EEZ and national airspace, alongside provocations in the enclosed city of Famagusta.
As he said, once the so-called strategic compass of the EU is in place, steps should be considered in order to implement the decisions.
He also underlined the importance of bilateral and trilateral cooperation, stressing Cyprus' role as a pillar of stability both for Europe and with the Middle East.
[/P]Mr. Petrides also argued that there is a gap in the Mediterranean that should be filled by a stronger naval presence of the US and not only of Turkey, which, he said, both instrumentalizes migrants and acts as a source of instability in the region.
Finally, he stressed the need for unity in action at the European level and the importance of respecting International Law and the Law of the Sea.
Source: CNA
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