The Plenary of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), adopted yesterday with an overwhelming majority, a condemnatory resolution on the consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The resolution calls, inter alia, on the Committee of Ministers to expel the Russian Federation from the Organization and all its institutions.
In his intervention, the head of the Cypriot delegation to the CSCE, Mr. Nicos Tornaritis, said that Cyprus' position on the Ukrainian crisis is based on principles and values and is fully aligned with the relevant decisions of the European Union (EU) and the United Nations. Cyprus, he stressed, which is still experiencing the consequences of the illegal Turkish invasion and occupation since 1974, cannot remain neutral. We are clearly on the side of Ukraine and the international legal order, he said.
By invading Ukraine, Russia is flagrantly violating international law, human rights and the rule of law, he said. He added that it is in complete contradiction with basic principles and values of the Council of Europe, the rules governing international relations and the civilized world in general. Any attempt to downplay the significance of these illegal actions, the Cypriot MP said, would damage the authority and credibility of the Organization itself.
There can be no tolerance for the invasion of a member state by another member state, Mr.Tornaritis stressed, nor the prevalence of the logic of two measures and two stations. Respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states, he stressed, is a basic principle governing international relations and any deviation or misinterpretation of this basic principle constitutes a violation of international law.
Mr. Tornaritis also stressed that decisive action should be taken against those Member States, such as Turkey, which deliberately deviate from joint actions and collective decisions taken by international organisations, in particular with regard to the application of sanctions against Russia.
Finally, Mr. Tornaritis praised the courage and fortitude of the Ukrainian people, while expressing the solidarity and determination of the CSTO to contribute to ending the violent war in Ukraine.
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