The need to move the Cyprus problem negotiations away from the MEAs and discussions of a bicommunal nature, noted in statements to the media today the President of the EPP, Marinos Sizopoulos. He stressed that Turkey's "action to attempt to put under its absolute control the Tympos airport confirms the consistent position of the EPP that the airport should not in any way be put under the framework of the MEAs."
Sizopoulos made statements after the meeting with the new negotiator for the Cyprus problem, Menelaos Menelaou. As he said, the developments at the illegal airport of Tymbos were raised in the meeting with Mr. Menelaou, among others.
As Mr. Sizopoulos, the inclusion of the airport in the MoU raises the issue of "direct or indirect cession of airspace control rights, even in a small area", which, he said, "is in essence a form of sovereign rights and this is a step towards what Turkey is trying to establish, sovereign equality".
In response to a question, he said that the negotiation should move away from the level of the MOU as well as from the level of bicommunalism. "The Cyprus problem is not a matter of resolving bicommunal problems. It is an international issue, the opposing party is not the Turkish Cypriots, but Turkey. This element must be brought out to the greatest possible extent and intensity. Today the conditions are suitable to be used in this direction," he said.
He explained that, on the occasion of the crisis in Ukraine, "the Cyprus problem should be returned to its proper basis, as an issue of invasion, continued occupation and ethnic cleansing through illegal Turkish colonization" and pointed out that Cyprus should demand the convening of an international conference on the Cyprus problem, "with the main objective of discussing as a priority the international aspect, i.e. the complete withdrawal of Turkish troops, the abolition of guarantees and the repatriation of settlers".
He appealed to the government to withdraw the MoU, given that so far, as many times as anything has been agreed on the basis of the MoU, only the part concerning our side has been implemented, he said. He pointed out that, through the recent actions on the Tympos airport, "the Turkish side, and the Turkish Cypriot side led by Ankara, are trying to exert pressure and blackmail on the Cypriot government so that they can reap more political benefits and gains."
Responding to a question about the meeting with the Italian MP, Piero Fossi, next week in relation to the Famagusta issue, he said he would point out the fact that Turkey systematically violates international law, UN resolutions, but unfortunately has no sanction, neither from the UN nor from other countries. "It is not possible to have automatic sanctions on Russia for invading Ukraine, but in the case of Turkey, which has been occupying European territories for 48 years and attempting illegal colonization, not only is it not subject to the same sanctions, but also receives favorable treatment from our partners in the EU and beyond," he concluded.
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