The 16th General Assembly of the Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (MPA) concluded today in Dubai.
Speaking on the issue of current international political developments, Cypriot MP Mr. Andreas Pasiourtides expressed concern about the devastating socio-economic and geopolitical consequences of the war in Ukraine for Europe and the world and the worsening humanitarian crisis in that country. He noted the resolution adopted unanimously by the House of Representatives on 24 February, in which the House condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, called for an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory and stressed the need to return to dialogue as the only possible path to de-escalation and a peaceful settlement of the conflict.
He criticized the hypocritical attitude of Turkey, which, as he pointed out, invokes international law in the case of Ukraine, at the same time as it has been flagrantly violating international law in Cyprus for forty-eight years. He stressed that the international community must abandon the policy of two measures and two stations and show the same determination against flagrant violations of international law, whoever the offender may be. The goal of the Greek Cypriot side, he stressed, is the resumption of negotiations to reach a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, a solution that will reunite Cyprus and its people, in accordance with international law and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Unfortunately, Turkey, the Cypriot MP pointed out, persists with unacceptable claims for a "two-state" solution in Cyprus and escalates its illegal actions in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus and the enclosed area of Famagusta. Such actions, he stressed, undermine efforts to resume meaningful negotiations to reach a solution to the Cyprus problem. In conclusion, Pasiourtides stressed that the best solution in any case is to avoid war and to commit to peaceful dialogue and respect for constitutional legitimacy in order to resolve disputes in countries such as Libya, Bosnia-Herzegovina and others.
The Plenary adopted a Resolution on geopolitical developments and security in the Mediterranean, which included an amendment by the Cypriot delegation, in which the Plenary called for the resumption of meaningful negotiations towards a viable solution to the Cyprus problem, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. A resolution was also adopted to address the terrorist threat in the Mediterranean.
In addition, in the context of the work of the 16th General Assembly, the CMM announced the awarding of personalities and organizations selected by the CMM for their active contribution to the promotion of the objectives of the Assembly and cooperation among the peoples of the Mediterranean. Among the organisations honoured is the Karaiskakio Foundation, whose nomination was proposed by the House of Representatives.
(MΓ)
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