President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades participated today in the first day of the Informal EU Summit in Versailles, which focused on the diagnosis of the new environment in Europe, in the light of the Ukrainian crisis following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as the responses to be given by the Union.
In his intervention during the afternoon plenary session, President Anastasiades noted that the Republic of Cyprus, as a country under occupation for almost 48 years and still experiencing the consequences of the Turkish invasion, fully understands what is now happening in Ukraine and expressed Cyprus' firm support for diplomatic efforts to end the war.
He also referred to issues of strengthening the EU's defence capabilities in order to be able to act as a reliable security provider where needed in the EU's wider neighbourhood, which includes the Eastern Mediterranean region.
President Anastasiades also stressed that the threats and challenges that the European Union and its Member States face from Turkey should be taken into account in the EU's relevant planning.
On the issue of the EU's energy independence, the President of the Republic referred to the important role that Cyprus has to play, including through partnerships with countries in our wider region for the transfer of energy to Europe. In this context, he referred in particular to natural gas during this transitional period, to the diversification of energy supply sources and routes through the implementation of cross-border interconnections, such as, for example, the electrical interconnection of the Eastern Mediterranean region with Europe as planned through the Euroafrica and Euroasia interconnectors, as well as to the significant prospects for the transfer of green energy, including hydrogen as a raw material, from the Greater Middle East region to the European Union.
The President of the Republic stressed that the EU's immediate, united and decisive reaction to the Russian invasion of Ukraine demonstrates the Union's ability to take decisions on such issues, regardless of the cost.
The President of the Republic reproached his European counterparts for Turkey's unacceptable attitude of not aligning itself with the sanctions imposed on Russia as a result of its invasion of Ukraine, since, apart from serving its own interests, it significantly affects the effectiveness of the measures, which are ultimately aimed at exerting pressure to end the raging war.
(PM/MG)
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