Responses to Turkish reports about tdvk at the work of the 29th Annual Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE PA) in Birmingham were given by members of the Cypriot and Greek delegations.
In a statement of the Parliament, it is noted that a member of the Turkish delegation responded to the reports of the Vice-Chairwoman of the OSCE CSI Irene Charalambides on Varosha by expressing the well-known Turkish accusations that allegedly only the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is competent to decide and act on the status of Varosha.
The head of the Cypriot delegation, Irini Charalambidou and member Christos Senekis, as well as members of the Greek delegation, raising a point of order, responded directly to the unacceptable Turkish references, clarifying that the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" is an illegal entity which is not recognised by any state or international organisation including the OSCE, but only by Turkey.
The only legitimate state, members of the two delegations stressed, is the Republic of Cyprus which has been occupied by Turkish troops since 1974.
The work began on Sunday and, as stated in the statement, at a meeting of the General Political and Security Committee, OSCE CSO Vice-Chairwoman Irene Charalambidou expressed deep concern about the escalating crisis in Ukraine.
She stressed that support for Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders is unquestionable. Referring to Cyprus' hosting of a large number of Ukrainian refugees, she underlined that solidarity on humanitarian issues is a given, while the current situation evokes familiar memories of 200 thousand Cypriot refugees who experienced the same cruelty.
Stressing that a firm commitment to the principles of international law, European principles and values, as well as to the protection of humanitarian law and human rights, is of paramount importance. Charalambidou noted in this context that Cyprus has aligned itself with the collective sanctions against Russia and has supported the European perspective of Ukraine and Moldova, as well as Georgia, in accordance with the criteria and procedure laid down by the EU institutions.
With regard to sanctions against Russia, the Vice-Chair of the OSCE CSO criticised the fact that there are states which, while rhetorically condemning Russian aggression under the pretext of maintaining neutrality, refuse to align on a practical level, undermining the intended impact of sanctions and imposing further costs on countries that have adopted all the necessary sanctions.
According to the House statement, Charalambidou also pointed out that defence and security have become more topical than ever in Europe due to current geopolitical developments and have led traditionally neutral states to seek participation in alliances and military organisations.
He also argued that in the midst of the escalating crisis in Europe, moves that cause an escalation of aggression also in the Eastern Mediterranean undermine not only regional stability and security but also unity within existing military coalitions, which should intervene to encourage unity among their allies.
Charalambidou stressed that revisionism and violations of international law, whether in Crimea, Donbass, Mariupol and Luhansk, or challenges in the Aegean or Varosha, pose a threat to the entire international order and must be met with equal resolve.
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