References to Cyprus, the Greece-Cyprus-Israel electricity interconnection, fire protection and the need to respect international law were made on Tuesday at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, during a debate entitled ‘A new common commitment for the future of Euro-Mediterranean relations – the Pact for the Mediterranean’.
Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica referred, among other things, to the European firefighting hub in Cyprus, noting that the leaders of the MED-9 have called for the establishment of a second similar hub in the western Mediterranean.
The Commissioner also presented a series of actions under the Pact, including the University of the Mediterranean, initiatives on youth skills, support for SMEs and start-ups, as well as the T-MED initiative for renewable energy and clean technologies. She said that T-MED provides for pound 5 billion in guarantees, with the aim of mobilising up to pound 25 billion for clean energy investments in the region.
Georgiou on Cyprus, fire protection and search and rescue cooperation
AKEL MEP, Giorgos Georgiou, said that the Mediterranean has great potential, but is also marked by wars, inequalities, displacement and environmental threats. He stressed that the Pact could provide an opportunity for peace, cooperation and shared prosperity, provided that it is not used as a tool to expand the EU’s geopolitical influence and that militarisation and migration control are not prioritised over social needs.
Georgiou said that The Left had worked on provisions concerning social justice, labour rights, environmental protection, public participation, funding, and respect for state sovereignty and international law.
At the same time, Georgiou stressed that contradictions remain between references to peace and militarisation, as well as in the application of international law, making specific reference to Palestine and Cyprus.
Mavrides on energy, international law and sovereign rights
DIKO MEP, Costas Mavrides, said that the EU was built on a vision of peace, beginning with the joint management of coal and steel resources, and stressed that a similar approach to energy could contribute to stability and prosperity across the Mediterranean. He emphasised that this should be based on common rules, international law and respect for the law of the sea.
Mavrides noted that institutions and structures already exist that can be utilised, citing as examples the East Mediterranean Gas Forum, the GSI, which he described as a European project of common interest, as well as the EastMed pipeline.
Addressing the Commissioner, he also raised the question of how those who violate the rules are dealt with, referring to Turkey and asking whether the response should be to reward them or impose consequences.
Geadi on interconnections, migration, international law and Turkey
For his part, ELAM MEP, Geadis Geadi, described the Mediterranean as a region of particular geopolitical and economic importance and said that the new Pact for the Mediterranean should become a meaningful tool for cooperation. In his intervention, he referred specifically to interconnections and the management of irregular migration.
He stressed that cooperation in the Mediterranean should be based on the law of the sea and international law. At the same time, he thanked MEPs from different political groups who had highlighted the issue and helped secure a decision concerning electricity interconnections and pipelines.
Geadi also stressed that the Mediterranean should not be threatened by Turkey, saying that ‘the time for words is over’ and that it is now time for action.