The Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign and European Affairs, Mr. Harris Georgiades, participated today in a web-based interparliamentary meeting organized by the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, on the topic of Enlargement Policy in the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The meeting was attended by Members of national and European Parliaments and Members of the Parliaments of candidate and potential candidate countries for accession to the European Union (EU).
After introductory remarks by the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, a debate followed. In his intervention, Mr Georgiades said that the decision to grant candidate status to Ukraine, which is struggling to defend its sovereignty and independence, is a triumph of European integration, noting that the decisions taken for Moldova and Georgia are highly symbolic. These countries, Georgiades stressed, deserve and have the right to join the EU, as they demonstrate a real commitment to the principles and values on which the Union is founded. On the contrary, he stressed, countries that do not respect international law and violate the human rights and sovereignty of their neighbours, which are full members of the EU, should be excluded from the enlargement policy. Finally, Georgiades sent a message of encouragement to the Western Balkan countries to maintain their commitment to continue their European course and perspective.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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