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Distinguished Mr.President,
Friend, Thodoris Roussopoulos,
First of all, I would like to congratulate you on your election to the Presidency of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and wish you every success in your very difficult task. Your long and productive political and professional experience on the European and Greek political scene is undoubtedly the best guarantee for a successful mandate.
Dear outgoing President,
Friend, Tiny Kox,
Thank you very much for the kind and very honourable invitation you extended to me during your visit to Cyprus last July to address the Parliamentary Assembly, giving me the unique opportunity to be here today.
Mr President,
Madam Secretary General of the Council of Europe,
Honourable Members of the Parliamentary Assembly,
Ambassadors,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am moved today by feelings of honour and responsibility.
Honor, because less than a year after my election to the Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus, I have the privilege of addressing the CPSU today.
A sense of responsibility, because as President of a small, semi-dominant state, I have the duty and obligation to stand firmly with those who support, in fact and in deed, the Council of Europe (CoE), an institution directly linked to the defence of human rights and the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law in Europe and beyond.
At the same time, I am here today to underline in the most emphatic way the absolute need to protect and further promote multilateralism, because I am strongly convinced that it is the only means at our disposal to assert and safeguard the principles and values espoused by the CoE and its Parliamentary Assembly, but also to address today's multiple challenges.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The CoE is an integral part of the ambitious vision of the pioneers of European integration. Awakened by the horrors of the two great world wars and determined to heal the wounds of the past, they moved decisively to create a Europe in which freedom and the rule of law would prevail.
And it is precisely through this political approach, through this vision, that the CoE has become one of the most important intergovernmental institutions and is at the forefront of the promotion and protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
The historic city of Strasbourg, the CoE and the iconic venue in which we are hosted today are familiar both to me personally and to most of my compatriots, because, among many other things, they are integral elements of our ongoing, common endeavour for further European integration. Our relentless pursuit of cooperation and the defence of basic, universal human principles and rights which, unfortunately, even today, in some cases, are not taken for granted.
As you know very well, in my own country, Cyprus, for the last 50 years we have been experiencing the tragic consequences of the violation of basic human rights and freedoms. Fifty years after the brutal Turkish invasion in 1974, European Cyprus is occupied, displaced, missing and trapped.
Honourable Members,
Unfortunately, once again, at the European and international level, we are living through a period of multiple and multilayered challenges that know no borders or nationalities. Threats to human rights, peace, democracy and pluralism, the climate crisis, the increase in migration and refugee flows, terrorism, religious fundamentalism, the humanitarian and food crisis are just some of the challenges we are facing today.
In these, and if you like as a consequence of the challenges I have just mentioned, the role and importance of multilateralism, of dialogue, of the peaceful resolution of disputes is being called into question. In this context, the role of the CoE, its Parliamentary Assembly, the role of all of you, becomes even more important.
I have, Ladies and Gentlemen, a strong conviction that the best, the most effective response to today's challenges and threats to multilateralism is its enlargement and strengthening, through further and more substantial cooperation between democratic countries and those intergovernmental organizations that embrace these values.
I believe that this is the only instrument that states have at their disposal, that we have at our disposal, to defend peace, security and prosperity on the European continent. Our guide in this effort must be our common vision of the future we wish to have, for ourselves, for our fellow citizens and, most importantly, for our children and future generations.
In this effort, Friends, all of you, the members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the CoE, undoubtedly play a leading role. It is here that democratic dialogue between the elected representatives of the 46 members of the CoE is promoted in practice, by deeds and not by words, making this temple of democracy an irreplaceable bridge of consultation and cooperation between the peoples of Europe.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The vision of peace, pluralist democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law that led to the creation of the CoE has never been more relevant.
We are witnessing an increasing attempt to erode the international order, based on growing nationalism, violations of human rights, including freedom of expression, women's rights, the right to education, religious rights.
In the field of gender equality, after decades of steady progress, a backlash against women's rights has emerged, further entrenching inequalities. At the same time, violence against women in all its forms is increasing, while women's sexual and reproductive health rights are also increasingly violated.
Furthermore, social inequality is increasing and must be addressed to mitigate the consequences of current social and economic challenges.
Let me be clear and underline once again: there can be no complacency when it comes to protecting and defending freedom and human rights in Europe.
The leadership of the CoE is vital to prevent these violations and to ensure, among other things, gender equality, women's rights, the right to education and social equality. These should always be at the heart of political priorities, using the legally binding instruments available to the CoE, such as the European Social Charter, the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, the European Cultural Convention, and especially the European Convention on Human Rights and its protocols.
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) is an indispensable shield in our struggle to defend human rights, the rule of law and democracy. As the main supervisory body for the observance of the Conventions, the Court plays a catalytic role through its decisions on this matter. It is the guardian of human rights on our continent, upholding our democracies and strengthening governance.
In this context, States have a collective and unconditional obligation to respect and fully implement the Court's final judgments. The full and non-discriminatory implementation of all ECtHR judgments is a key element of our efforts. Systematic non-compliance with the Court's judgments is a serious threat to the Court's authority, the effectiveness of the Convention and the Council's credibility, and by extension to the rule of law, democracy and human rights. It is particularly regrettable, Ladies and Gentlemen, that a large number of Court judgments on human rights violations are still not fully implemented, or not implemented at all, due to a lack of political will. One such judgment is the 4th Inter-State Application of Cyprus against Turkey, in which Ankara, as in many other cases, has so far failed to comply.
Mr President,
Honourable Members of the Parliamentary Assembly,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
From the ruins and darkness of World War II a ray of hope and light has emerged. Multilateralism has become the driving force for peace and the CoE - like the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) - has emerged as an agent of cooperation, playing a catalytic role in upholding common values so that the world will never again experience the horrors of the war that destroyed Europe and the world.
Despite the progress that has been made, 75 years after the founding of the CoE, the multilateral approach faces strong challenges. Once again, in Europe and beyond, we are witnessing suffering from terrible wars and horrific atrocities.
In Europe, the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine has shown that peace in Europe - and around the world - can never be taken for granted. Since the beginning of the war, Cyprus has condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine, which has resulted in some 10 million displaced and refugee Ukrainians. From the very beginning Cyprus has stood firmly in solidarity with Ukraine and its people. We reiterate our unwavering support for its unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. And in doing so, Ladies and Gentlemen, we are standing on the right side of history.
We must be unequivocal in our message: we will never accept border changes that come from violence and war. This is a matter of principle, a matter of upholding international legitimacy and the basic principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter. The threats to Europe and the world will not be averted unless we act united and decisively. It is our collective responsibility to uphold international legitimacy, whatever the cost.
The key to this is diplomacy. We must focus our attention on ending hostilities and ensuring lasting peace in Ukraine on the basis of the principles of international law in the UN Charter.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is becoming painfully obvious that there are no "frozen conflicts" and that, in the absence of comprehensive and viable solutions, there is a risk of an explosion of conflict with far-reaching consequences.
The current conflict in the Middle East, Cyprus and the immediate neighbourhood with Cyprus and Europe proves this. The unfolding war is a test for all of us, not only for regional stability, but also for peace and security on a global scale.
From the outset we condemned the heinous terrorist attacks by Hamas on 7 October, which led to the resurgence of the current cycle of violence. Terrorism is a threat to all of us. At the same time, we must also make it clear that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people or the Palestinian cause. While the drama of the hostages continues, we firmly believe that the unconditional and immediate release of all hostages is the key to ending the crisis.
At the same time, while fully recognizing Israel's right to self-defense under international law, including international humanitarian law, I stress in the strongest possible terms that all civilians and civilian infrastructure must be fully protected. A tragedy is unfolding with unprecedented consequences. We mourn the loss of so many innocent people. Our priority must continue to be to protect and end the suffering of so many innocent lives.
The only way forward is to ensure that there is a peace lifeline out of this war, and that means reinvigorating the Middle East peace process on the basis of a two-state solution as envisaged in the UN resolutions. In this way, the EU, together with like-minded partners such as the United Kingdom and the United States of America, as well as our Arab regional partners, must be at the heart of such a strategic debate on the basis of the Peace Day Initiative. I sincerely believe that this is the only guarantee to ensure lasting peace, security and dignity for both Israelis and Palestinians, and to prevent a wider extension of the crisis.
At the same time, given the huge humanitarian needs in Gaza, Cyprus, the closest EU Member State to the region, with excellent relations with all neighbouring countries, has promoted a comprehensive initiative for a one-way sea corridor, the Amalthea Project. The Cypriot sea corridor initiative provides for a complementary route to existing and future routes for the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, and I am very pleased that we have recently activated the humanitarian corridor. It remains at the disposal of the international community to contribute to the safe flow of sustainable, high-volume humanitarian assistance to civilians in the Gaza Strip.
Dear friends,
In another region, Nagorno-Karabakh, we have witnessed another humanitarian crisis, affecting tens of thousands of people. This acute humanitarian crisis turned into a massive exodus of the Armenian population from the region. We must take all necessary measures to provide immediate humanitarian aid, but also to address the long-term situation of the ethnic Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh. At the same time, Armenia's increased and immediate needs arising from the events of last September should be properly and adequately addressed.
Cyprus supports the normalization of relations and the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan within the framework of EU mediation, which will undoubtedly contribute to the long-term stability and prosperity of the wider region. Any incentives to facilitate and encourage this development should be balanced and carefully designed and implemented.
Dear friends,
The aforementioned crises and tragedies clearly demonstrate that prolonged political impasses should not be met with complacency. The absence of diplomacy and dialogue can create cycles of perpetual violence with disastrous consequences.
It is a reality that there are no "frozen conflicts". As I mentioned, the vacuum created by the absence of sustainable, lasting peace becomes a breeding ground for crises. This is something we know very well in my country. Human rights in Cyprus remain an unfulfilled promise for all Cypriots as a result of Turkey's illegal invasion in 1974 and the ongoing occupation.
2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion, 50 years of ongoing, illegal occupation. Five decades of division, continuous violations of fundamental freedoms and basic human rights on the European continent cannot continue.
Always, but especially on anniversaries like this one, my thoughts are constantly with the hundreds of thousands of displaced Cypriots who year after year wait for the moment when they will return to their homes. They are with the families of the missing who are desperately seeking information on the fate of their loved ones. It is with the stranded who stoically await the end of the division.
These are all matters that fall within your mandate to be informed and your responsibility to act through resolutions of the Parliamentary Assembly and decisions of the Court. We support and pursue these actions as they greatly enhance our efforts to restore respect for the human rights of all Cypriots.
Dear friends,
It is time for peace. All Cypriots - Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, Maronites, Armenians, Latins - deserve the same human rights and fundamental freedoms as all other Europeans. They deserve to prosper in a reunified country, an EU member state, where their human rights and fundamental freedoms are guaranteed and upheld.
As the first President of the Republic of Cyprus, born a few months before the Turkish invasion and raised in a de facto divided Cyprus, my vision and my highest priority is the reunification of my country and its people, so that we can all live in peace, security and prosperity. I have been actively pursuing this vision since the first day I took office, and I want to assure you here today that I will continue to pursue it with determination and courage.
I am committed to achieving a solution for a bizonal bicommunal federation with political equality, as set out in the relevant UN Security Council Resolution. This is the only viable way forward.
In this context, I welcome the recent appointment of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, Ms. María Angela Holguín Cuéllar, and look forward to her contribution to the resumption of negotiations as provided for in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and from where they were interrupted in Crans-Montana in 2017.
Ensuring an enabling environment is also imperative. Unfortunately, on the ground, we continue to face successive provocations and violations, as well as attempts by the Turkish occupying forces to infiltrate the buffer zone in various areas. We have responded to these challenges with calm and restraint, while taking all measures to safeguard the status of the buffer zone. Our focus remains on charting a positive way forward and we are even more determined in this regard.
Dear friends,
I stand before you today asking for your support and your tangible contribution as we strive for peace.
The CoE in general and the Parliamentary Assembly in particular have the political legitimacy to actively contribute to our efforts both to ensure an enabling environment and to our efforts for a full resolution.
One such example is the report by Parliamentary Assembly member Piero Fassino on Varosha, which is currently being prepared. It is extremely important that we remain vigilant that any move other than transferring the region to UN administration is a violation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including UN Security Council Resolutions 550 of 1984 and 789 of 1992.
In this context, the CoE report offers a unique opportunity to convey the urgency of the matter and the need to respect international legitimacy and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, and to call for the restoration of the property rights of the displaced residents, as recognised by the ECHR in Cyprus v. Turkey.
Honourable Members of the Parliamentary Assembly,
The only answer to the challenges we face is collective, multilateral action. The institutions that drive this action must be able to adapt and respond to challenges in order to meet them effectively. Indeed, during the 4th Summit in Iceland we reaffirmed our strong support for multilateralism and also committed to engage in regular high-level dialogue with Member States and partners to strengthen the Reykjavik Principles for Democracy. This should continue to be our main focus in order to collectively and effectively address these common challenges.
In closing, I would like once again to warmly congratulate you for the important and extremely valuable work you do here in the Assembly.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the CoE 75 years since its foundation, the CoE remains our beacon. We must learn from the past and from the current crises in order to build a better future for future generations, based on peace and prosperity. At this critical juncture, it is imperative for all of us to take a step back, to rethink how we envision our future on this continent and how the institutional framework can be a more effective means to achieve our vision.
For my part, I can assure you that Cyprus remains firmly committed to its responsibilities and obligations and will do its utmost to uphold and promote the fundamental values of the CoE. We remain committed to preserving and enhancing the importance of this vital institution.
The Republic of Cyprus will always be on the right side of history and on the side of the Council in its tireless efforts to protect human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
Thank you.
(PM/EL/MS/AF/GS/NG/Th)
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