The 17th Annual General Assembly of the Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (MPA) continued and concluded today in Rabat, with the participation of MPs Mr. Andreas Pasiourtidis (leader) and Mrs. Rita Theodorou Superman. Pasiourtidis expressed his feelings of deep sorrow for the tragic train accident in Tempi, which took the lives of dozens of people, mainly young children, and the heartfelt sympathy of his Cyprus to the relatives of the victims and those missing.
During the discussion of the report of the Committee on Political and Security Cooperation, Mr. Pasiourtides referred to the political, and economic and social insecurity brought about by Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. The Cypriot MP welcomed the collective reaction in favour of respect for international law and the UN Charter. He criticised, however, the two-measures and two-stop logic of the international community, pointing out that the same determination was not shown towards Turkey for its illegal military invasion of Cyprus and its continued occupation of part of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus. Pasiourtides, has stood from day one on the side of Ukraine and its people, in the name of the same principles of international law and human rights, which are blatantly violated by Turkey, which is escalating its dichotomous claims and provocative actions in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus and on its territory, including the enclosed area of Famagusta, in violation of the relevant UN resolutions.
The Cypriot MP reaffirmed the determination of the Greek Cypriot side to achieve a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, in accordance with international and European law and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, on the basis of a bizonal bicommunal federation, with a single sovereignty and international personality and one citizenship, which will reunite the country in conditions of lasting peace and stability.
The Cypriot MP reaffirmed the determination of the Greek Cypriot side to achieve a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, in accordance with international and European law and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, on the basis of a bizonal bicommunal federation, with a single sovereignty and international personality and one citizenship, which will reunite the country in conditions of lasting peace and stability. Pasiourtides also noted the important role of Cyprus as a factor of regional security and stability and a bridge between the European Union and the Middle East, as well as the trilateral cooperation mechanisms that Greece and Cyprus have established with countries in the region in a wide range of sectors, including energy, contributing to the achievement of the goal of energy independence from Russia.
Pasiourtidis also expressed sorrow for the victims of the deadly earthquakes in Turkey and Syria and noted Cyprus' practical support for those affected. At the same time, he warned of the huge risks for Cyprus and the entire region that the operation of the nuclear power plant under construction in the seismogenic area of Akkouyos, which is only 338 km away from the epicentre of the recent earthquake and is located directly opposite Cyprus.
Furthermore, in the framework of the General Assembly, the winners of the 2023 CSM Awards were announced among personalities and organisations that have actively contributed to the promotion of the objectives of the Convention and cooperation between the peoples of the Mediterranean. The winners of this year's awards include the Cyprus Institute, whose nomination was proposed by the House of Representatives.
The work of the 17th General Assembly concluded with the holding of elections for the election of the new President and seven members of the Convention Bureau. Mr Enaam Mayara, President of the Moroccan Chamber of Councillors, was elected as the new President of the CMC.
(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
