[PIO] Meeting of the Defence Committee with a delegation of the Parliamentary Friendship Group for relations with Cyprus and Malta of the German

The Chairman of the Parliamentary Defence Committee, Mr. Mr. Giorgos Karopoulos (Chairman), Mr. Kostas Kosta, Mr. Giannakis Gavriel, Mr. Christos Christou and Mr. Alekos Tryfonidis and MP Mr. Marios Mavridis had a meeting today with a delegation of the German-Cypriot Friendship Group at the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag). The delegation was headed by the President of the Friendship Group for relations with Cyprus and Malta Mrs. Derya Türk-Nachbaur and included the Deputy Chairmen Mr. Florian Obner, Mr. Lars Friedrich Lindemann, Mr. Dietmar Friedhoff and Member Mrs. Filiz Polat. Present at the meeting was the German Ambassador to Cyprus, Ms Anke Schlimm.

Welcoming the German delegation, Mr Sizopoulos underlined the importance that Cyprus attaches to the further upgrading of cooperation with Germany, especially in the field of security and defence, both at bilateral and European level, in the light of the serious challenges that the European Union (EU) is facing. Referring to the Cyprus problem, Mr Sizopoulos pointed out that Cyprus continues to suffer for forty-nine years the consequences of the Turkish invasion and occupation, as well as the increasing Turkish challenges, including the increasing militarisation of the occupied territories. As part of the hybrid war being waged by Turkey against the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Sizopoulos pointed out the visible danger of altering the demographic character of the country through the ongoing colonization of the occupied territories and the channeling of irregular migrants, through the ceasefire line, into the areas under the control of the Republic of Cyprus. In this light, Sizopoulos said, the Republic of Cyprus is seeking to develop partnerships to strengthen its defence capabilities and the country's stability. He also referred to the institutional role of the legislature in exercising parliamentary control and approving the defence budget of the Republic of Cyprus.

A discussion followed, during which the members of the Defence Committee highlighted the growing military threat from Turkey against the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus and raised the issue of the sale of German weapons and transfer of military technology to Turkey. The Cypriot MPs stressed Cyprus' strategic position at the crossroads of three continents, which is reflected in the trilateral cooperation that Cyprus has developed with its neighbouring countries and the prospect of its further expansion, based on the Republic of Cyprus' objective of becoming a pillar of security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean region. They also referred to the energy programme of the Republic of Cyprus and the ways of exploiting the natural gas of the Eastern Mediterranean in order to achieve the EU's energy security objective. Particular emphasis was placed by MEPs on the serious problem of the disproportionate migratory pressures faced by Cyprus, which, as they pointed out, may touch on aspects of the security of the country and the wider region. They expressed thanks for the resettlement of a number of political refugees from Cyprus to Germany and stressed the urgent need for this issue to be addressed collectively at EU level, based on the principles of solidarity and equal sharing of responsibilities between Member States, including the conclusion of agreements between the Union and third countries for the return of migrants.

The German MEPs underlined the important prospects for cooperation between Germany and Cyprus, as equal EU Member States and due to the important role Cyprus plays in the region and in the EU, and expressed gratitude for the assistance of the Republic of Cyprus in the evacuation of German nationals from Sudan. Regarding the Cyprus problem, they stressed Germany's readiness to support the efforts being made to resolve the Cyprus problem on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions. Finally, with regard to the migration issue, they noted that Germany is holding talks with the frontline countries, to which it is demonstrating its solidarity and practical support. They noted the convergence of the two countries' positions in favour of managing the migration issue on the basis of solidarity and equal sharing of responsibilities between EU Member States.

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