Participation of Ms Irini Charalambidou, Vice President of the OSCE CSO, in the proceedings of the 29th Annual Session
The proceedings of the 29th Annual Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE PA) began yesterday in Birmingham.
At a meeting of the General Political and Security Committee, the Vice-Chairwoman of the OSCE CS Ms Irene Charalambidou expressed her deep concern about the escalating crisis in Ukraine. She stressed that support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders is unquestionable. Referring to the hosting by Cyprus of a large number of Ukrainian refugees, she underlined that solidarity on humanitarian issues is a given, while the current situation brings back familiar memories to 200 thousand Cypriot refugees who have experienced the same cruelty.
Noting that a firm commitment to the principles of international law, European principles and values, as well as to the protection of humanitarian law and human rights, is of paramount importance. He noted in this context that Cyprus has aligned itself with the collective sanctions against Russia and has supported the European perspective of Ukraine and Moldova, as well as Georgia, in accordance with the criteria and procedure laid down by the EU institutions.
With regard to sanctions against Russia, the Vice-Chair of the OSCE CSO criticised the fact that there are states which, while rhetorically condemning Russian aggression, nevertheless, under the pretext of maintaining neutrality, refuse to align on a practical level, undermining the intended impact of sanctions and imposing further costs on countries that have adopted all the necessary sanctions.
Ms. Charalambidou also pointed out that defence and security have become more topical than ever in Europe due to current geopolitical developments and have led traditionally neutral states to seek participation in alliances and military organizations. Finally, he argued that in the midst of the escalating crisis in Europe, moves to escalate aggression in the Eastern Mediterranean also undermine not only regional stability and security but also unity within existing military coalitions, which should intervene to encourage unity among their allies.
In conclusion, Ms. Charalambidou stressed that revisionism and violations of international law, whether in Crimea, Donbas, Mariupol and Luhansk, or challenges in the Aegean or Varosha, pose a threat to the entire international order and must be met with equal resolve. In response to Ms Charalambidou's references to Varosha, a member of the Turkish delegation responded by expressing the well-known Turkish objections that only the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" is competent to decide and act on the status of Varosha. The head of the Cypriot delegation Mrs. Irini Charalambidou and member Mr. Christos Senekis, as well as members of the Greek delegation, raising a point of order, responded directly to the unacceptable Turkish references, clarifying that the so-called "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" is an illegal entity which is not recognized by any state and no international organization, including the OSCE, but only by Turkey. The only legitimate state, members of the two delegations stressed, is the Republic of Cyprus which has been occupied by Turkish troops since 1974.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
