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A question on the omission of condemnatory reports on Turkey's stance on the sanctions packages decided by the EU was raised by the Cypriot MEP on Tuesday evening, during a debate in the EP Plenary with EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell.
Josep Borrell participated in a debate in the EP, presenting the results of the EU-China Summit. Mr. Borrell pointed out that countries such as China, which continue to support Russia, are reprehensible.
On the occasion of this position, Cypriot MEP, Loukas Fourlas, addressed Mr. Borrell. He said that "we are talking about China, which we rightly condemn for its behaviour, but it is a wonder when we will talk about other countries that do not participate in the sanctions and undermine European sanctions, such as Turkey."
Mr. Fourlas recalled that Turkey, among others, is an EU member state and yet it undermines the decisions of the Union. "It is even playing mediator in this crisis, to come tomorrow to ask for its gifts from you, the EU," the MEP told Mr. Borel, closing his intervention.
The EU also sees China as a possible mediator with Russia, for the war in Ukraine
However, during his presentation, Mr. Borel said that "despite the critical positions of some MEPs, the Summit was important because it allowed us to convey strong messages about what we are asking for and what we are rejecting", stressing that through the work of the Summit, the positions of both sides were clarified.
He explained that the EU has no intention of putting obstacles in the way of China's trade interest, but made it clear, with regard to the conflict in Ukraine, that it is not a regional issue, but a matter of crucial importance for the security of the Union. "We have made it clear that China will not provide military assistance to Russia in the war in Ukraine," he said, adding that China also has red lines, as it does not want Russia to use weapons of mass destruction in this war.
"We must continue to have relations with China, whether we like it or not," he concluded. Borel, stressing that China could use its influence in Russia to help achieve a ceasefire and create humanitarian corridors, given that there are commitments from both China and the EU on issues related to the war in Ukraine.
EPP proposal for debate on Turkey's behaviour in plenary
Also during the debate on the issue of taking measures against Russia in the Political Group of the European People's Party, Mr. Fourlas described as unacceptable the behaviour of Turkey, which refuses to participate in the sanctions imposed by the EU.
"While Cyprus has closed its airspace to Russian planes, Ankara refuses to do so and even uses the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus as a base," he said, noting that this attitude is a challenge for everyone.
"This is an insult to Europe, we should put it on the table: anyone who knocks on Europe's door has obligations and cannot play the pretentious neutral, even expecting gifts from the European Union for its attitude," he added, saying that "it is a shame to tolerate this policy and to have Turkey as a mediator in the crisis."
After Mr. Fourla's statement, the President of the Parliamentary Group of the European People's Party, Manfred Weber, said that this recommendation can be included in the EPP's policy paper so that the whole behavior of Turkey, as an EU accession country, can be discussed in the plenary session of the European Parliament.
Source: KYPE
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