The two-day working visit of a delegation of the Cyprus-Germany Friendship Group to the House of Representatives, following an invitation by the President of the German-Cypriot Friendship Group in the German Bundestag, Mrs. Derya Türk-Nachbaur, was completed today in Berlin. The delegation consisted of the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign and European Affairs and Chairman of the Cyprus-Germany Friendship Group Mr. Harris Georgiades (leader), the Members of the Committee Mr. Nikos Tornaritis, Ms. Marina Nikolaou and Ms. Christiana Erotokritou and the Member of Parliament Ms. Alexandra Attalidou. The delegation was accompanied throughout the visit by the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus in Berlin, Ms Maria Papakyriakou.
The delegation was received by the Vice President of the Bundestag Ms Aydan Özoğuz and had a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ms Susanne Baumann. It also had separate meetings with President Türk-Nachbaur and members of the German-Cypriot Friendship Group, President Dr. Marie Agnes Strack Zimmermann and members of the Defence Committee, President Anton Hofreiter and members of the Committee on European Affairs, President Anton Hofreiter and members of the Committee on European Affairs, and President Türk-Nachbaur and members of the German-Cypriot Friendship Group. Klaus Ernst and members of the Committee on Climate Protection and Energy, the Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Mr Thomas Erndl and members of the Committee, and the Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Home Affairs Dr Lars Castellucci and members of the Committee.
In all the meetings, the close relations of friendship and cooperation between Cyprus and Germany, as Member States of the European Union (EU), based on common principles and values, were mutually underlined. The common will to intensify contacts and exchanges between the parliaments of the two countries at all levels and on the basis of the importance that both attach to the promotion of parliamentary diplomacy was stressed. They also exchanged views on issues of common interest and expressed readiness to deepen cooperation, particularly in the areas of defence, energy, climate change, education and culture.
Concerning the Cyprus problem, the Cypriot MPs underlined the commitment of the Greek Cypriot side to the objective of resuming talks to reach a solution in accordance with international law, relevant UN resolutions and European principles and values and asked for the contribution of the European partners, in particular Germany, so that Turkey would abandon its increasing aggression towards Cyprus and other countries in the region and show the necessary respect for international law. They also called for pressure to be exerted on Turkey to de-escalate tensions in the context of its revisionist policy against Cyprus and the intensifying Turkish threats and provocations against the Republic of Cyprus, both on the ground and in particular in the enclosed area of Famagusta, as well as within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus. The Cypriot MPs also raised the issue of the creation of a naval base in the occupied territories and in particular in the Natura area in Karpasia, as well as the construction of a nuclear power plant in Akkouyou, in an earthquake-prone area, which threatens the security of the Mediterranean region.
The members of the Cypriot delegation underlined the important role played by Germany in shaping European policy to address common challenges. They also noted the catalytic role that Cyprus can play in promoting cooperation between the EU and the countries of the Middle East, as well as in the objective of EU energy security.
On the issue of migration, Cypriot MEPs criticised Turkey's instrumentalisation of irregular migrants, who are pushed through the occupied territories to the areas under the control of the Republic of Cyprus, with the result that Cyprus receives the largest number of asylum seekers in proportion to its population among EU Member States. In this context, the urgent need to adopt an integrated migration policy at EU level, based on the principle of solidarity and equal sharing of responsibilities, was stressed.
The German MEPs expressed their hope for a solution to the Cyprus problem and the reunification of Cyprus in conditions of peace and stability, noting that Germany knows what division, but also reunification, means.
Vice President of the Bundestag Mrs. Özoğuz reaffirmed the principled positions of her country, stressing that the division of Cyprus is not recognized and cannot be accepted. State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Ms. Baumann stressed that the German Government categorically rejects Turkey's aggressive behaviour and claims against the sovereignty of other states, including the Republic of Cyprus. She stressed Germany's support for efforts to find a solution and her country's willingness to contribute in this direction on the basis of the relevant UN resolutions.
The German MPs praised Cyprus' commitment to the principles and values of the EU and international law and stressed that Cyprus is a reliable and consistent member state of the Union and a valuable partner for Germany. They also expressed their appreciation for the full and immediate alignment of the Republic of Cyprus with the EU sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, recognising the great cost these have imposed on the Cypriot economy. They also noted Turkey's refusal to implement the collective sanctions against Russia for the sake of political and economic interests.
Finally, on the migration issue, the German MPs showed particular interest and understanding for the particular challenges faced by Cyprus, mainly due to the flow of irregular migrants from Turkey through the occupied territories to the free areas.
(The text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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