The work of the joint meeting of the International Secretariat, the Presidents and the Rapporteurs of the Committees of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of Orthodoxy (IPA) was concluded yesterday in Milan, with the participation of deputies Mr. In the context of the discussion on the war in Ukraine and in particular the humanitarian aspect of the conflict, Mr. Leonidou expressed regret for the ongoing bloodshed, stressing Cyprus' full support and solidarity with the suffering people of Ukraine.
In the context of the discussion on the war in Ukraine and in particular the humanitarian aspect of the conflict, Mr. Leonidou expressed regret for the ongoing bloodshed, stressing Cyprus' full support and solidarity with the suffering people of Ukraine. Cyprus, Mr Leonidou stressed, while experiencing the consequences of the Turkish invasion and continued occupation of part of its territory by Turkey, remains firmly committed to the principles of sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all states within their internationally recognised borders. Noting the condemnatory resolution unanimously adopted by the House of Representatives on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Leonidou stressed that a return to dialogue is the only possible path to de-escalation and a peaceful settlement of the conflict. He further noted the sending of humanitarian aid by the Republic of Cyprus to Ukraine and the hosting of Ukrainian refugees in Cyprus.
Referring to the drama of the Ukrainian refugees, Mr. Mirianthous noted that Cyprus has an additional reason to express its full support and full solidarity with the Ukrainian people, as it knows very well what foreign invasion and refugeeism means. Mirianthous noted that the humanitarian drama in Ukraine exacerbates the risk of a global food crisis, hence the need for collective and coordinated action by the international community on the basis of universal values and fundamental human rights. These rights have been brutally violated in Cyprus by Turkey for the last forty-eight years and the logic of two measures and two stations takes us away from the goal of prevailing peace in the world, he stressed.
Referring to the devastating consequences of Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Mr. Moussiuttas noted that these include the destruction of cultural heritage and the looting and commercialization of cultural goods. In this context, Moussiuttas noted the imminent entry into force of the Council of Europe Convention on offences concerning cultural property, known as the "Nicosia Convention". Mr. Moussiuttas stressed that under the Convention, the judicial apparatus of the Contracting States is obliged to apply the criminal law to all acts that the Convention defines as unlawful. Moussiuttas called on the Members of the Convention to influence their parliaments to accede to the Convention for those States that have not done so, thus supporting the collective effort and international cooperation in the field of protection of cultural heritage and tradition.
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