The 20th Inter-Parliamentary Conference on the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) concluded yesterday in Paris, in the context of the parliamentary dimension of the current six-month French Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU). The House of Representatives was represented by MEPs Mr. George Karoullas (leader), Mr. George Koukoumas, Mr. Zacharias Koulias, Mr. Alekos Tryfonidis and Ms. Alexandra Attalidou.
Due to the current developments, the modified agenda of the Conference included the crisis in Ukraine and the EU's response to it as the only topic of discussion.
In his intervention, Mr. Karoullas warned that the Russian invasion of Ukraine would have serious implications in terms of human rights and European security and stability. Karullas also noted the unanimous resolution of the House of Representatives on the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, stressing that Cyprus stands, as a matter of principle, for the respect of international law, the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states. He also stressed that the EU must also consistently condemn any violation of international law and demonstrate in every case the same determination in dealing with such violations, far from the logic of two measures and two stations. Mr. Karoullas noted that Cyprus has been experiencing for 47 years what the Ukrainian people are experiencing today, as a result of the Turkish invasion and occupation and the unprecedented process of Turkishization of Cyprus. He also criticised Turkey's hypocrisy in condemning Russia for the same things it is doing in Cyprus. Karoullas noted the need to support Europe's security architecture in order to enable it to manage autonomously and adequately any crisis in its neighbourhood.
In her intervention during the debate on the EU's response to the Ukrainian crisis, MEP Alexandra Attalidou stressed that the international community and the EU must respond with determination, both to the President of Russia and to anyone else who violates international law. The EU, Ms Attalidou stressed, must give a resounding response with strong measures and show zero tolerance to their aggression, so that they are obliged to comply with international law. She called on the EU to demonstrate the necessary will and adopt the necessary measures to ensure its strategic autonomy.
In the context of the same debate, MEP George Koukumas unequivocally condemned Russia's invasion as a gross violation of international law and Ukraine's state sovereignty, which, he said, brought back the terror of war in Europe years after the war in Yugoslavia. He stressed that the EU must strengthen its credibility in the field of foreign and security policy and criticised the fact that Europe, while condemning Russia's aggression, does not show the same attitude against Turkey's violations in the Mediterranean, continuing the arms trade with Turkey and thus damaging its credibility. Our ultimate goal must be a return to dialogue, demilitarization and a peaceful resolution of the issue based on international law, the Cypriot MP stressed.
Moreover, MP Alekos Tryfonides stressed that the current developments in Ukraine make it imperative for the EU to assess its presence on the international stage. The current crisis, the Cypriot MEP said, will either be an opportunity to build an integrated foreign, security and defence policy or its swan song. He also stressed that the logic of imposing the strong must be avoided and dialogue and the rules of international law must prevail, as diplomacy is the only way to de-escalate the crisis.
The Conference adopted a Declaration in support of the people of Ukraine and condemning the Russian invasion of the country.
(SX)
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