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- Ελληνικά
By Loukas Fourlas
MEP DISY & EPP
Moscow's recognition of Donbass as an independent region and the subsequent intervention of its military forces have awakened bad memories in Europe. Therefore, with a united voice, we rushed to impose sanctions on the Putin government, and rightly so. We will intensify them even more to defend international law and our credibility. But what about the case of Cyprus?
The biggest problem the EU seems to face in international affairs is the absence of a common framework for action. On the one hand, in the invasion perpetrated by Russian forces against Ukraine, the EU could not and did not maintain a neutral stance, and rightly so. A series of measures and sanctions were imposed by the EU on Russia as a sign of support for Ukraine but also as a defender of the acquis communautaire and international law. When Turkey invaded Cyprus in 1974, where was the international community to impose meaningful sanctions and stand up to Ankara, which invaded under the pretext of peacekeeping intervention?
Why when Turkey was attacking the territory of Cyprus, Iraq, Syria, Syria, Libya and Artsakh killing civilians and children were not immediate, substantial and effective measures taken?
I repeat that it is good to sanction Russia, it just raises legitimate questions. Why are there no sanctions on Turkey, at least similar to those imposed on Russia? Economic and accession sanctions which will have a cost to the Erdogan regime? Verbal solidarity has no effect.
On the contrary, it is increasingly discouraging Ankara, which is attempting to create a fait accompli under the threat of arms. As in 1974 with the invasion of Cyprus, so today Turkey is acting completely illegally using the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, trying to serve political purposes.
While the EU stood firmly against the Lukashenko government's instrumentalisation of migrants for political purposes and extended the sanctions regime against Belarus, I do not see anything similar happening in the case of Erdogan and Turkey. Ankara receives billions from the EU to keep migrants on its territory while threatening its donors that it will drown Europe with massive waves of refugees.
The rule of law is a basic principle of democratic states and ensures the independence of the judiciary. Respect for the rule of law is a fundamental value of the EU. The violation of European principles and values justifies the reaction at European level towards Hungary and Poland. But where is the reaction to a country that attempts to join the Union and at the same time imprisons journalists simply because they may express an opinion different from that of their government?
Isn't it strange that while Europe is rallying against Russia, Belarus and its own Member States such as Poland and Hungary, it is not doing the same against Turkey? Where are the sanctions against Ankara for recognizing the occupied territory of Cyprus as an independent country? Where are the sanctions while it proceeds with the colonisation of Famagusta? There, the decisions of the Security Council seem to be disregarded.
Let us all reflect on the double standards of Europe that irreparably damage its credibility vis-à-vis its founding principles and values and vis-à-vis 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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