The Cyprus EU Council Presidency “has delivered”, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola tells CNA, highlighting the country’s role as a ‘bridge’ between countries and continents and reiterating that the Cyprus issue is also a European issue and that the EU stands by Cyprus.
In a written interview with the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Metsola also referrs to efforts to bring the European Union closer to its citizens, particularly young people, the challenges posed by populism and disinformation, and the role of the European Parliament in strengthening the democratic resilience of the European Union.
Referring to the Cyprus issue, she reiterates that the only viable prospect for a solution is the reunification of Cyprus on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, in line with United Nations resolutions, EU law and European values. She also stresses that the resumption of negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations remains essential, underlining that the Cyprus issue is also a European issue, with the European Union continuing to support efforts aimed at achieving a sustainable and lasting settlement.
Asked how she assesses the Cyprus EU Council Presidency’s performance Metsola recalls that “Cyprus took on the Council Presidency at a moment of rapid change, great uncertainty, and rising expectations from our citizens.”
“It was not an easy task or moment but President Christodoulides and the whole Cypriot Presidency team have delivered,” she stresses.
The European Parliament President notes that she has “always known Cyprus as an honest broker – a bridge between continents, countries and people – and this is how your country was able to push further on security, competitiveness, and our simplification agenda.”
Referring to the Presidency’s impact she points out that “under the Cyprus Presidency we have seen important legislative files concluded that respond directly to citizens’ concerns and Europe’s strategic needs. From the Air Passenger Rights that we agreed on this Monday – and for which I am particularly happy about after 13 years of negotiations – to the final vote on the EU-US trade deal on Tuesday, together we have shown that Europe can deliver. And we have taken important steps on enlargement.”
“With the opening of the first accession negotiations cluster for Ukraine and Moldova, we have proven that hard work and reform lead to progress, and that Europe honours its commitments,” she adds.
Throughout its Presidency, Metsola says, “Cyprus has been an excellent partner to the European Parliament. President Christodoulides has shown through his leadership, what real determination looks like. I want to thank him for that, and for his friendship.”
Asked what concrete steps is the European Parliament taking today to strengthen its relationship with European citizens, she recalls that “when I was elected President of the European Parliament, I wanted our institution to burst through the Brussels and Strasbourg bubble and reach as many people as possible – in their towns, villages, cities and regions.”
“Members of the European Parliament meet people where they are, listen to their aspirations, understand their realities, and explain the importance of the decisions we take. Because Europe is everywhere, in every member state. Members of the European Parliament have a particular responsibility to keep our citizens on board, and this is something that I and my colleagues, including Cypriot Members of the European Parliament, take very seriously,” she stresses.
That is why, she says, “during my visit to Cyprus last year, President Christodoulides and I sat down with students in Larnaca for a town hall discussion.”
“Listening to young people, bringing their ideas and concerns back to our daily work in Brussels, is not a side event – it is central to how we build trust,” Metsola notes.
Invited to say in what ways the EU can more effectively engage young people in decision-making the European Parliament President replies that “it is true that some young people feel disconnected from the European Union, especially in countries that have been part of it for a very long time.”
Perhaps, she says, “it is because the benefits of EU membership have become something we take for granted.”
But, she continues, “as I said before, we need to listen to people’s concerns. And that is why, in the legislation we adopt, in the way we communicate our work, and in how we keep young people’s ambitions at the top of our agenda, we need to speak to them directly and adapt to new realities. We need to be able to change course if needed and to deliver concrete results that can be felt and seen in daily lives.”
Replying to a question as to how the European Parliament can address the rise of populism and misinformation in member states Metsola explains that “there is a growing frustration with the traditional way of doing things, which is pushing people to vote differently, or not at all. At the same time, European democracy is being tested, with foreign interference and disinformation becoming more prevalent.”
These, she says, “are no longer isolated risks”. That, she adds, “is precisely why our institutions must remain strong, credible and capable of delivering for citizens.”
“Defending democracy from foreign interference demands action. This is why the European Parliament has already set up a special committee to this effect, and one of its outcomes has been the creation of the European Centre for Democratic Resilience – a coordination hub between institutions, Member States and civil society”, Metsola notes.
In this work, she says, “we can also build on existing EU legislation like the Digital Services Act and the Artificial Intelligence Act. But above all, we must continue to engage and work together with those running the platforms, as they are very much part of the solution.”
Asked about the Cyprus issue and how the European Parliament can contribute more effectively in the resumption of reunification talks, she replies: “The European Union will only be whole when Cyprus is united.”
“The way forward is clear: a sovereign European state based on a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation, in line with UN resolutions and rooted in our shared European values and EU law. The path is grounded in dialogue and diplomacy, and the basis of any lasting solution, is trust. That is why we hope that talks will resume soon,” she says.
The European Parliament, Metsola assures, “will always be a friend to Cyprus.”
“Europe stands with Cyprus and its people. As I have said many times before, this is not only a Cyprus issue – it is a European issue. We will keep supporting the United Nations-led process by providing political support, reinforcing confidence-building measures, and maintaining a steady European focus, to help create the conditions for a lasting settlement,” she stresses.
Invited to say what it means for her coming from a small country to serve as President of the European Parliament, Metsola replies “there are no big and small countries in our European Union.” Cyprus, she adds, “is proof of that.”
“I want to make sure that, as an institution, the European Parliament does its job to keep people’s concerns at the very core of our work, and we do everything we can to move Europe forward, together,” she concludes.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.