Mr. Kostis Efstathiou, member of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign and European Affairs, participated today in the Meeting of the Chairs of the European Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of the Member States of the European Union (COSAC), which took place in Stockholm, as part of the parliamentary dimension of the current six-month Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU).
In his intervention during the discussion of the priorities of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU, Mr Efstathiou said that the priorities set by the Presidency reflect the way in which the EU must move forward in order to be able to address the multidimensional challenges it faces today. He pointed out that at this difficult time when Sweden takes over the Presidency of the Council, it is necessary for politicians to instil the European vision among European citizens, which will be based on the principles and values of democracy, humanitarianism and solidarity and will give them hope by promoting actions and measures that will address their concerns.
At the same time, the Cypriot MEP pointed out, the Member States and the institutions of the Union must operate in a way that is consistent with the common values of the EU and international law, without exceptions and without being governed by the logic of two measures and two stations. Mr. Efstathiou noted the correctness of the Union's immediate and collective response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, stressing that a similar response from the EU is expected in the case of Cyprus, which has been suffering for 49 years the painful consequences of the invasion and continued occupation of part of its territory by Turkey. Turkey, Mr Efstathiou underlined, violates the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus and instrumentalizes illegal migrants, which it channels through the ceasefire line and by sea to the areas under the control of the Republic of Cyprus.
Moreover, in the context of an exchange of views on the issue of tackling serious organised crime, Mr Efstathiou pointed out that organised crime is eroding the foundations of the democratic societies of the EU Member States and stressed the importance of strengthening national law enforcement authorities and cooperation between them at European level. He stressed that the cooperation of national law enforcement authorities with and through Europol, in particular as regards the exchange and analysis of information, must be consistent with a stronger protection of fundamental human rights, in particular freedom, security and privacy.
Referring to statistics showing that 70% of criminal groups operate in more than three EU Member States, Mr Efstathiou pointed out that this fact demonstrates the need to harmonise the way of approaching the European Union. Furthermore, Mr. Efstathiou noted the need to create a common legal "arsenal" at European level, starting with the establishment of common rules on criminal law and the law of evidence and the creation of the European Prosecutor for serious cross-border organised crime, which, as he pointed out, require sincere political will.
In conclusion, Mr. Efstathiou stressed that it is the duty of all parliaments to demonstrate to European citizens that the fight against corruption is a constant objective and that no one is immune, even at the highest levels of power.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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