Cypriot MEP Costas Mavrides (DIKO, S and D) is organising a conference at the European Parliament on December 2 to examine the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) jurisdiction over the transfer of settlers into the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus and the appropriation of Greek Cypriot properties.
Speaking to Cypriot journalists in Strasbourg on Tuesday, Mavrides said international legal experts would discuss alleged crimes in the occupied areas and the scope for prosecution before the ICC.
He said he had previously submitted a detailed document to the Court calling for criminal proceedings against those responsible for settlement activities and the organised appropriation of Greek Cypriot properties.
Mavrides argued that evidence included electoral records in the occupied areas, infrastructure projects funded by Turkey and the widespread exploitation of Greek Cypriot properties.
EU budget negotiations
Referring to the EU’s 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), Mavrides highlighted differences between Parliament and member states over the size of the next long-term budget.
He said Parliament was seeking approximately 10% more funding than proposed by the European Commission, while the Irish Presidency’s counterproposal envisaged an increase of around 2%.
“European solutions require appropriate financial tools,” he said, calling for more resources for defence, competitiveness and established EU programmes.
For Cyprus, he noted, the outcome would affect funding for regional development, agriculture, defence, infrastructure, housing and the green transition, including projects of strategic energy importance.
Age restrictions on social media
Mavrides also backed a common EU minimum age for social media access and mandatory changes to online platforms’ algorithms to better protect children.
Referring to the proposed EU KIDS Act, he warned of risks linked to addiction, mental and emotional health and online manipulation, arguing that preventive action was essential.
“It is our responsibility to protect our children because they are minors and because the risks are real,” he said.
He opposed allowing parents or guardians to adjust age restrictions individually, arguing that such flexibility could leave them vulnerable to pressure.