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The 69th Conference of the European Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of the Member States of the European Union (COSAC) started today in Stockholm. The House of Representatives is represented by the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign and European Affairs, Mr. Harris Georgiades, and members Mrs. Marina Nikolaou, Mr. Chrisis Pantelidis and Mr. Kostis Efstathiou.
In a discussion on the achievements of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU, Ms Nicolaou noted that European values must be based on the principles of international law and the EU must be consistent with what it proclaims.The Cypriot MP underlined that the war in Ukraine is a flagrant violation of international law and that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected and protected.
At the same time, she said, the territory of the Republic of Cyprus has been occupied for forty-nine years by Turkey, which continues to cause tensions by challenging the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus on the land and at sea. He also noted that at the same time the country is facing the management of large migratory flows for which practical solidarity is required and called on the EU to end its tolerance towards countries that violate international law, human rights and that blatantly instrumentalise human suffering, such as Turkey.
Cyprus, Ms Nicolaou pointed out, has directly and actively contributed towards supporting Ukrainian refugees, but at the same time, she expects the EU to show the same solidarity towards frontline countries, such as Cyprus, in relation to refugee and migrant flows from the Middle East and Africa.
The Cypriot MEP stressed that the response to the consequences of the war in Ukraine should focus on the well-being of citizens and that particular emphasis should be placed on supporting vulnerable groups, who have to bear a disproportionate burden due to inflationary pressures. The EU needs policies that are driven by solidarity, social justice and equality, Ms Nicolaou concluded.
Mr Efstathiou, in his speech on the 30th anniversary of the Single Market, noted that the Single Market is undoubtedly a successful European achievement. He pointed out that issues relating to the four freedoms, which today are taken for granted, were a difficult task in the past. With regard to Cyprus in particular, Mr Efstathiou expressed his regret for the non-implementation of the four freedoms due to the ongoing Turkish occupation.
Mr Efstathiou underlined the need to redefine the single market and its transformation into a single social market. Noting that the economic and financial objectives set in 1993 had been achieved, Mr Efstathiou pointed out, however, that these objectives had not been set vaguely, but had and still have a common content and a common reference point, which is the well-being of European citizens. At the same time as economic growth and stability, Mr Efstathiou stressed, the institutionalisation of a social network for the benefit of the European citizen is required.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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