13
Feb
2023
Watch
EU response to the humanitarian situation following the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria (debate)
Madam President, the extent of destruction is still hard to grasp: tens of thousands of lives lost or missing, destruction and mourning. Among the lost, 24 schoolchildren, our children from the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus with their companions. From the very moment, the Republic of Cyprus expressed readiness to contribute a team of rescuers with medical assistance. But the Erdoğan regime rejected it for politically motivated reasons. There are many reasons indeed for not trusting Erdoğan regime, but indeed, Erdoğan is not the people of Türkiye. The humanitarian relief for the affected areas in Türkiye and Syria must involve civil society actors, trade unions, medical associations and other NGOs, away from the dirty hands of inhumane and corrupted autocrats. Mr Commissioner, after all, solidarity and empathy for the people must prevail because humanity must prevail.