The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign and European Affairs Mr. Harris Georgiades and the Members of the Committee Mr. Nikos Tornaritis, Ms. Marina Nikolaou, Mr. George Koukumas, Ms. Chrisis Pantelidis met today with a delegation from the European Affairs Committee of the Czech House of Representatives, consisting of the Chairman Mr Ondřej Benešík and the Members of the Committee Ms Marie Pošarová and Mr Martin Exner. The delegation was accompanied by the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Cyprus Mr. Vladimir Němec.
Mr Georgiades noted the excellent relations between Cyprus and the Czech Republic, based on common principles and the existing prospects for their further strengthening at the parliamentary level, both in the context of the upcoming Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), and at the bilateral level, in particular through the institution of the respective Friendship Groups in the two Parliaments.
Describing the current difficult situation, Georgiades pointed out that all EU actions and priorities are inevitably affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its multiple consequences. Mr Georgiades underlined that the Republic of Cyprus, living through its own painful experience of the invasion and continued occupation of part of its territory by Turkey, remains firmly committed to international law. He stressed that Cyprus unequivocally condemned the violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and fully implements the common framework of sanctions decided against Russia. He also noted the resolution condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine, adopted unanimously by the House of Representatives.
Georgiades stressed the unreserved solidarity of the Cypriot people with the refugees from Ukraine. He stressed the need for the EU to support Member States hosting Ukrainian refugees, as well as the need to formulate a common European policy to address migratory pressures. Such a policy, Georgiades pointed out, must ensure respect for the human rights of migrants, but also set limits to stop the instrumentalisation of human suffering by authoritarian regimes, such as Turkey, which channels illegal migrants through the occupied territories into the Republic of Cyprus-controlled areas.
Benešík said that the Czech Republic, having experienced occupation twice in its modern history, fully understands what Cyprus has suffered and is still suffering today. The Czech Republic, Mr Benešík said, stands by Cyprus in its efforts to solve the Cyprus problem. Mr Benešík also referred to the difficulties faced by the Czech Republic, which hosts hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees, mainly women, children and elderly people, stressing the need for joint management of this issue at European level. In addition to the management of the Ukrainian refugee crisis, Mr. Benešimis noted as priorities of the upcoming Czech Presidency of the EU Council the issues of energy and food security, as well as the fight against misinformation and false news.
From the side of the Cypriot MPs, the feelings of friendship of the Cypriot people towards the people of the Czech Republic were underlined.
From the side of the Cypriot MPs, the feelings of friendship of the Cypriot people towards the Czech people were underlined. Sincere appreciation was expressed for the principled positions and support of the Czech Republic regarding the Cyprus problem and its resolution efforts. At the same time, the two-stop logic of the international community with regard to violations of international law by Russia in the case of Ukraine and by Turkey in the case of Cyprus, but also with regard to Turkey's failure to apply collective sanctions against Russia. Finally, the Members of the Commission underlined that Cyprus shares the priorities of the Czech Presidency and looks forward to the best possible cooperation in this context.
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
