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Ensuring peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean in relation to the Cyprus issue, were the focus of interventions by Cypriot MPs who participated in a meeting of the Political Affairs and Democracy Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Chania.
According to a Parliamentary statement, MPs Nikos Tornaritis (leader), Christiana Erotokritou and Kostis Efstathiou members of the Cypriot delegation participated in a discussion on ensuring peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Mr. Tornaritis pointed out that despite the instability prevailing in the region, at the same time there is ample room and potential for regional cooperation, with the aim of addressing challenges more effectively and taking advantage of the opportunities that arise.
Cyprus, located at the crossroads of three continents, said Mr.Tornaritis, has in recent years established as a key pillar of its foreign policy, a network of trilateral cooperation with its neighbours, a mutually beneficial development not only in the energy sector, but also in other key areas of action. A basic precondition for the development of regional cooperation, Mr. Tornaritis stressed, is commitment to and respect for international law and the promotion of good neighbourly relations. The resolution of the Cyprus problem, he stressed, will make a major contribution in this direction. In this context, the Cypriot MP criticized Turkey's expansionist policy, which, as she pointed out, harms the goal of peace, stability and prosperity in the entire region.
On the same issue, Ms Erotokritou referred to the changing current circumstances, noting that they affect the current balance of power in various ways, both within the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean and in relations between them. In this context, she said that the role of the Council of Europe should be supportive, with the ultimate goal of strengthening and modernizing democratic institutions and forces.
Referring to the promotion of regional and energy cooperation, Erotokritou noted that the mechanisms of bilateral and trilateral cooperation that have been established bring significant benefits to the countries of the region. Particularly today, she added, due to the need to exploit alternative sources of energy supply for Europe, these partnerships become even more important, provided that they are based on respect for international law and consist of reliable partners. Unfortunately, Erotokritou stressed, Turkey's role and its revisionist policy against the sovereign rights of both the Republic of Cyprus and the Hellenic Republic violate international legitimacy and cause constant geopolitical tensions in the region. However, he pointed out, these partnerships are founded on the basis of mutual respect for the principles of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries and the application of the rule of law. Therefore, he said, Turkey's continued illegal provocations and claims in Cyprus and the ongoing Turkish occupation cannot be accepted. The natural wealth of Cyprus, he concluded, belongs to the entire Cypriot people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots through the Republic of Cyprus.
Source: KYPE
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