Letter to EU High Representative Josep Borel for explanations as to Turkey's role in the war in Ukraine, as well as to enforce in the occupied territories the decision of the Republic of Cyprus to close the airspace of the entire country to Russian aircraft, sends Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.
Economically, Cyprus will be affected by the crisis to the extent that many other EU countries will be affected, with the Finance Minister stating that if the loss from Russia and Ukraine is not covered by other tourist markets, the impact on the country's GDP will be in the order of 1-1.5%.
The two Ministers were today before the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, briefing its members on the implications of Russia's invasion of the Republic of Cyprus, both economically and politically.
In his intervention before the Committee, the Foreign Minister first noted that for some inexplicable reason Turkey remains out of the loop because of its stance and continues to play the game undisturbed on two boards. He said that no one asks Turkey why, as an EU candidate country and a member of NATO, it does not participate in the sanctions and does not close its skies to Russian aircraft. Kasoulides said that he is today sending a letter to EU High Representative Josep Borel asking for an explanation of Turkey's role He stressed that Turkey will be completely disheartened if there are no consequences for its decision to play the role of pretentious neutral, even asking for a mediator role in the crisis.[/B] He added that Turkey will be completely disheartened if there are no consequences for its decision to play the role of pretentious neutral, even asking for a mediator role in the crisis.
Regarding the statements of the Russian Ambassador in Cyprus, and in response to a question by Commission President Harris Georgiades, Mr. Kasoulides said that he considered that this is not the time to address the Russian Ambassador and ask for an explanation, at a time when Cyprus, along with the rest of the EU countries, is receiving sanctions against Russia. He added that he prefers to leave the issue at this moment, not to add fuel to the fire and at the first opportunity to address the Russian Ambassador.
Kasoulides went on to express the view that the US President and NATO were right to decide not to rush to support Ukraine militarily before the spectre of a World War III and a nuclear disaster. He said that the war in Ukraine is the first war on this scale since World War II, stressing that a political solution to the situation is urgently needed soon, which is acceptable to all parties, otherwise the war will not end.
In his intervention to the Commission, Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides said that in addition to the battlefield, a war of impressions is being waged, with Cyprus being the subject of fake news regarding its alleged objections to the sanctions regarding Swift and the no-fly zone.
He said when the first measures were taken on Friday by the EU the Swift issue was not on the agenda, noting that all sanctions were unanimous. He clarified that the Swift issue was raised a few days later and our country did not raise any objection. On the issue of the flight ban, he said that the specificity of Cyprus was expressed because of the occupied territories. On the same issue, the Foreign Minister said that he is today sending a letter to the High Representative of the European Union, Josep Borel, asking the Union to take responsibility towards Turkey and the occupied territories, as the Republic of Cyprus does not have control of the airspace over the occupied territories.
On the issue of sanctions, Petrides said that the general perception is that they will be more effective and quicker than initially expected, as the ruble has fallen by 30% against the Euro and there have been phenomena of massive flight of funds from Russian banks. He noted that the general impression within the EU is that the sanctions are having an effect and that they will continue even if at some point the war ends.
As to whether Cyprus is affected by the sanctions, Petrides said that the financial sector was not particularly affected as banks are not exposed to Russian bonds. However, he said, there is an impact from some Russian companies based in Cyprus.
In the tourism sector, Petrides said as this will be affected not only because of the blocking of flights on Russian airlines but also because the Russian economy has been significantly affected and the citizens of the country have been affected by this.
The Finance Minister said that if the tourism gap created by the loss of Russian and Ukrainian tourists is not filled by attracting tourists from other markets, then the negative impact on GDP will amount to 1-1.5% of GDP.
He also noted that the biggest risk for our country, as for the rest of Europe, is inflation due to the continent's dependence on the Russian market for energy resources and grain. The situation is uncertain at the global level, Petrides said, stressing that coordination is needed as well as specific tools to support the economies of member states, as was done during the pandemic.
Petrides said that on the issue of the economic impact, as on the issue of dealing with the pandemic, Cyprus will rely on its own capabilities to deal with it.
Commission President Harris Georgiades, speaking after the meeting, said that the Russian invasion is nothing but a conflict between democracy and authoritarianism and has subverted the European security architecture and violates basic principles of modern international relations. He said that in the face of these facts, the EU should get out of the state of "comfort" in which it had been comfortable for years and move decisively towards strategic self-determination.
He also noted that the EU should realize that Turkey's behavior towards Cyprus and Greece is no different from the authoritarian behavior of the current Russian government. "Cyprus' stance should also be clear away from anti-Western syndromes and in full alignment with our EU partners," he said.
He concluded by saying that the recent references by the Russian ambassador in Nicosia are unacceptable, noting that "we may be a small state, but we do not tolerate insults from any foreign ambassador."
AKEL MP Giorgos Loukaidis expressed his satisfaction that the Foreign Minister appeared to fully share the views expressed by AKEL in the Committee and underlined the need for an immediate end to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and a return to dialogue and diplomacy.
He said that there is a serious risk that we as Cyprus will pay a high price in the Cyprus problem, given that Turkey is presenting itself undisturbed with tactful neutrality but also as a ready mediator. She added that AKEL expressed readiness for a proper assessment of the price that the Cypriot economy will pay so that the necessary measures to support those who will be affected can be taken in a targeted and timely manner.
DIKO MP Christiana Erotokritou expressed her party's condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, noting that the Cypriot people know much better than anyone else what invasion, war, persecution and refugeeism mean.
Erotokritou said that the EU must move swiftly towards the completion of the European Defence and Security Policy if it wants to be a real determinant of developments and not a bystander unable to impose policies based on its own principles and values.
Ecologist MEP Alexandra Attalidou said that the measures should be continued as Putin's aggression should not continue as then we will see a Turkey becoming demoralized and imposing demilitarization on the Aegean islands.
He added that at this moment we should stand firm on sanctions against Russia and when this crisis is over, as Cyprus we should demand the same for our country as it is political naivety, he said, with the front of Russia and Ukraine open, the EU will come at this moment to decide on sanctions against Turkey.
Source: CNA
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