European integration can not be achieved without the end of the Turkish occupation of Cyprus, the liberation and the reunification of the island, President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, stressed Tuesday in his follow up remarks before the European Parliament in Strasbourg, where he presented the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.
Responding to the interventions of Members of the EP, President Christodoulides referred to the Cyprus issue, migration, Schengen, enlargement, the Middle East, transparency and the Multiannual Financial Framework.
Cyprus Issue
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European integration, he said, requires the end of the Turkish occupation, the liberation and the reunification of Cyprus on the basis of the relevant UN resolutions, for a solution of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, a solution that must be in accordance with the legislation, principles and values of the EU, the President stressed.
He noted that Cyprus will continue to be an EU member state after the solution of the Cyprus issue and welcomed again the fact that for the first time a representative of the President of the Commission has been appointed in relation to the Cyprus issue, “who can help us because the EU has the tools and means to lead us to a mutually beneficial state of affairs.”
Referring to Ukraine and recently to Greenland, he stressed that “there is no other EU member state that better understands what invasion, occupation, missing persons and refugees mean.
The Cyprus Presidency, he continued, knows first-hand these concerns and its position is clear regarding respect for territorial integrity and respect for sovereignty.
The Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state since 2004, has been divided by Turkish troops since 1974, holding 37% of this Mediterranean island’s territory.
Immigration
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With regard to immigration, the President said that there are solutions to this issue and referred to the actions of the Republic of Cyprus in recent years where arrivals to Cyprus have decreased by over 80% and returns have increased by over 60%.
Our main priority during the Presidency, he continued, is to ensure unity between the member states with the support of the Commission and the competent services in the preparation of a framework with the ambition of fully implementing the Pact on Migration and Asylum.
Schengen
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Referring to the Schengen Area, the President of Cyprus said that it constitutes a strategic goal for Cyprus and that it will strengthen its security and European orientation.
We have completed, he added, all the technical checks and we have achieved compliance in all areas waiting now for the final report of the Commission.
Enlargement and the Middle East
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About enlargement, the President said that we must be ready when candidate countries meet their obligations to respond as well, otherwise we lose this “great geopolitical tool”.
In relation to the Middle East, the President pointed out that each EU presidency brings its own agenda and that among Cyprus’ priorities is to work to bring the EU closer to the wider region.
He noted that following Cypriot initiatives, an EU-Egypt Summit was held for the first time in December and the first EU-Jordan Summit was held two weeks ago.
During our Presidency, he continued, specific EU policies and measures in relation to the wider Middle East will be announced within the framework of the Pact for the Mediterranean.
Transparency
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Replying to MEPs on the rule of law, transparency and the fight against corruption, the President stressed that he is proud of Cyprus and referred to the relevant reports of Moneyval and Greco and other international organisations, saying that this is a key reason why Cyprus has attracted significant quality foreign investments.
Today, he said, the Cypriot economy is showing growth of over 3%, unemployment is below 5% for the first time since 2008 and Cyprus is in Tier A ranking by all credit rating agencies for the first time since 2011, while public debt is at around 50%.
“And all of this is important first and foremost because it allows us to pursue social policy by increasing social spending beyond 6%. This is the competitiveness that we as the EU should be working on.”
MFF
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In relation to the Multiannual Financial Framework, he said that we must send a message to citizens through the MFF, which must reflect our current needs, our current priorities without ignoring policies that have brought benefits to European citizens over time, such as the Cohesion Fund and the Common Agricultural Policy.
Invitation to MEPs to attend meetings in Cyprus
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The President noted that we all understand the need for an autonomous Europe open to the world and added that it is precisely within this framework that Cyprus relies on the European Parliament, to work together and achieve this goal.
It is for this reason, he added, that the Cyprus Presidency is possibly the first Presidency to have decided to invite representatives of the European Parliament to all meetings to be held in Cyprus.
“We do that in recognition of the important role of the European Parliament”.
Concluding, he said that in this effort, over the next six months, the Cyprus Presidency, relies on all MEPs to achieve an autonomous Europe open to the world.
Commissioner Tzitzikostas
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Meanwhile, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, said that the Cypriot Presidency has set out a clear agenda.
The Commission, he added, remains fully committed, working hand in hand with the Presidency, EP and the member states to deliver tangible results.
Together we can ensure that Europe remains competitive, secure, resilient and autonomous, he added.
“Mr President we trust you, Europe is counting on you” he told the President of Cyprus.