The German Deputy Foreign Minister and the Vice President of the German Parliament expressed support for Cyprus' positions on the Cyprus problem in meetings with Cypriot MPs in Berlin.
A statement from the Parliament said that Bundestag Vice President Aydan Özoğuz reaffirmed her country's principled positions, stressing that the division of Cyprus is not recognized, nor can it be accepted. German Deputy Foreign Minister Susanne Baumann underlined that the German Government categorically rejects Turkey's aggressive behaviour and claims against the sovereignty of other states, including the Republic of Cyprus.
As stated in the statement, the two-day working visit of a delegation of the Cyprus-German Friendship Group in the House of Representatives to Berlin concluded on Wednesday, following an invitation by the President of the German-Cypriot Friendship Group in the German Bundestag, Derya Türk-Nachbaur. The delegation consisted of the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign and European Affairs and Chairman of the Cyprus-Germany Friendship Group Haris Georgiades (leader), Committee Members Nikos Tornaritis, Marina Nikolaou and Christiana Erotokritou and MP Alexandra Attalidou. The delegation was accompanied throughout the visit by the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus in Berlin Maria Papakyriakou.
The delegation was received by the Vice President of the Bundestag Aydan Özoğuz and had a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Susanne Baumann. It also had separate meetings with President Türk-Nachbaur and members of the German-Cypriot Friendship Group, President Dr. Marie Agnes Strack Zimmermann and members of the Defence Committee, President Anton Hofreiter and members of the European Affairs Committee, President Klaus Ernst and members of the Climate Protection and Energy Committee, Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee Thomas Erndl and members of the Committee, and Deputy Chairman of the Home Affairs Committee Dr. Lars Castellucci and members of the Committee.
In all meetings, the close relations of friendship and cooperation between Cyprus and Germany, as Member States of the European Union (EU), based on common principles and values, were mutually underlined. The common will to intensify contacts and exchanges between the Parliaments of the two countries at all levels and on the basis of the importance that both attach to the promotion of parliamentary diplomacy was stressed. They also exchanged views on issues of common interest and expressed readiness to deepen cooperation, particularly in the areas of defence, energy, climate change, education and culture.
Regarding the Cyprus problem, the Cypriot MPs underlined the commitment of the Greek Cypriot side to the objective of resuming talks to reach a solution in accordance with international law, relevant UN resolutions and European principles and values and called for the contribution of European partners, in particular Germany, in order for Turkey to abandon its increasing aggression towards Cyprus and other countries in the region and to show the necessary respect for international law.
They also called for pressure on Turkey to de-escalate tensions in the context of its revisionist policy against Cyprus and the intensifying Turkish threats and provocations against the Republic of Cyprus, both on the ground and particularly in the enclosed area of Famagusta, and within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus.
The Cypriot MPs also raised the issue of the creation of a naval base in the occupied territories, in particular in the Natura area in Karpasia, as well as the construction of a nuclear power plant in Akkuyu, in an earthquake-prone area, which threatens the security of the Mediterranean region.
The members of the Cypriot delegation underlined the important role played by Germany in shaping European policy to address common challenges.
The members of the Cypriot delegation stressed the important role played by Germany in shaping European policy to address common challenges. They also noted the catalytic role that Cyprus can play in promoting cooperation between the EU and the countries of the Middle East, as well as in the objective of EU energy security.
On the issue of migration, Cypriot MEPs criticised Turkey's instrumentalisation of irregular migrants, who are pushed through the occupied territories to the areas under the control of the Republic of Cyprus, with the result that Cyprus receives the largest number of asylum seekers in proportion to its population among EU Member States. In this regard, the urgent need to adopt an integrated migration policy at EU level, based on the principle of solidarity and equal sharing of responsibilities, was stressed.
The German MPs expressed their hope for a solution to the Cyprus problem and the reunification of Cyprus in conditions of peace and stability, noting that Germany knows what division and reunification mean.
The Vice President of the Bundestag Mrs. Özoğuz reaffirmed the principled positions of her country, underlining that the division of Cyprus is not recognised and cannot be accepted. State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Ms. Baumann stressed that the German Government categorically rejects Turkey's aggressive behaviour and claims against the sovereignty of other states, including the Republic of Cyprus. She stressed Germany's support for efforts to find a solution and her country's willingness to contribute in this direction on the basis of the relevant UN resolutions.
The German MPs praised Cyprus' commitment to the principles and values of the EU and international law and stressed that Cyprus is a reliable and consistent member state of the Union and a valuable partner for Germany.
They also expressed their appreciation for the full and immediate alignment of the Republic of Cyprus with the EU sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, recognising the great cost these have brought to the Cypriot economy. They also noted Turkey's refusal to implement the collective sanctions against Russia for the sake of political and economic interests: KYPE
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