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The 23rd Interparliamentary Conference on the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), held in Madrid, concluded yesterday, in the framework of the parliamentary dimension of the current Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU). The House of Representatives was represented by the MPs Mr. George Karoullas (leader), Mr. George Koukoumas, Mr. Zacharias Koulias, Mr. During the debate on the current developments in the field of CFSP and CSDP, Mr. Koukoumas stressed that an independent and impartial foreign and security policy of the EU requires respect for international law, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, including Cyprus, Ukraine and Serbia, commitment to the path of peace and diplomacy and consistency in principled positions, instead of the logic of two measures and two stations. More specifically on the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East region, Koukumas noted the need to control arms exports from EU member states to war zones and authoritarian regimes, as well as the need to implement the EU's commitment to make the Eastern Mediterranean zone free of weapons of mass destruction. With regard to migration and asylum, the Cypriot MEP said that refugees are wrongly presented as a threat to the security of Europe, since the real threat is posed by those who cause the uprooting of refugees and those who refuse to assume their share of responsibility in hosting refugees.
Speaking about the challenges in the field of CSDP, Mr. Tryfonides reiterated the commitment of the Republic of Cyprus to the implementation of the provisions of the EU Strategic Compass, while stressing the importance of strengthening European defence and achieving tangible results from the on-the-ground missions and operations of the Common Security and Defence Policy, in order to address current and emerging challenges in the wider region. Mr. Tryfonides called on the Member States to show practical solidarity with Cyprus, which, he stressed, is under constant threat.
In addition, on the sidelines of the Conference, a meeting of the parliamentary delegations of the Mediterranean countries of the EU (GroupMed) was held. The head of the Cypriot delegation, Mr. George Karoullas, informed the participating parliamentarians about the recent violations by Turkey of international law and the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus, most recently in the buffer zone near Pyla. Karoullas also underlined the need for the immediate adoption of the Pact on Immigration and Asylum and the need to strengthen cooperation between the Mediterranean Member States of the EU to address common challenges.
Ms Attalidou referred to the impact of climate change, particularly in the Mediterranean countries and stressed the need for a European action plan for the management of climate change. She also highlighted the increase in the percentage of European citizens living on the poverty line as a result of the pandemic and the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and stressed the importance of ensuring social and economic justice.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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