Speeches

Mr President, at a time when the Cypriot people were paying enormous costs by taking sanctions against Russia, unfortunately, a few, taking advantage of loopholes in the timing of the sanctions, were changing the ownership of companies that would be on the sanctions list. These are on the altar of personal gain, disregarding even the reputation of their country, feeling that they operate in a state of lawlessness and impunity. The sanctions hit the tourism industry enormously, shut down businesses and Cypriot farmers stopped exporting their products to Russia, watching Russian investors move to Turkey and the occupied part of Cyprus. Unfortunately, the negative mention of my country's name was tarnished by these few and added to the negative mentions of Cyprus' involvement following the Panama Papers, golden passports and Pegasus. The new government through its president said that no one is above the reputation of our country and that everything will be investigated. We expect that they will not only remain as declarations, but that those who violated the relevant decisions will be investigated and punished. Violation of sanctions has already been criminalised in Cyprus and the institutional framework has become even stricter. Transparency everywhere and for everyone, across Europe.

Mr President, calm, restraint and the immediate return of the two sides, Serbia and Kosovo, to the table of dialogue. The tension in the region cannot be defused otherwise than by the path of peace. Don't go back to 1998. No one will win by following the path of blood. The latest terrorist attack in the village of Banisko, in northern Kosovo, should be the beginning of a new substantive round of implementation of what has already been agreed by both sides. From this step, I have often been critical of the situation in Serbia and of the lack of progress on some issues on the way to joining the European Union. The condemnation by Mr. Vučić of the terrorist attacks, as well as today's arrest of the leader of the terrorists, do not allow further discussion of imposing sanctions against Serbia, which at the end of the day, will be paid by the Serbian people. At the same time, the European Union should insist, suggesting to both sides that they should immediately implement what they agreed upon.

Mr President, this is the ninth year that I am participating in a debate on Turkey's so-called progress report, which is essentially a regression report. There is no rule of law. Opposing voices are being silenced, the human rights of its citizens are being violated, there is a constant export of nationalism and imperialism. Threats against its neighbours are escalating and it continues to occupy 40% of Cyprus, which is European territory. What do we do in the face of all this? We continue to be victims of Turkey's extortion over immigration or even Sweden's accession to NATO. Some of our partners even sell them guns. Let's finally look at the realities and focus on a specific strategy of democratization of Turkey, so that it becomes a pole of stability in the region and not a pole of anomaly. Finally, let decisions be taken on the basis of the principles and values of the European Union and not on the basis of interests and discontent.

Mr President, the Pegasus, Predator and related software scandal has brought to light the backsliding of democracy, as well as the violation of human rights and the privacy of citizens in Europe. Unfortunately, these kinds of systems were used not only for national security reasons or to fight terrorism, but to monitor political opponents, as in the case of PASOK president Nikos Androulakis, as well as journalists who simply did their job well. In Cyprus we are still waiting for specific responses from the competent authorities of the state. Who owned this type of software and who watched it? Since 2019 we expect answers and unfortunately there is a suspicious silence. It is now known that these softwares were on the market as if they were just consumer goods. What needs to be done, in addition to their strict circulation procedures, is for Member States to impose severe and exterminating penalties on those who arbitrarily violate democracy.

Mr President, the people of Cyprus have trusted you with their vote and expect real and substantial change from you. Golden passports, Pegasus, Panama Papers. Events that unfortunately have tarnished the image of our country and lead society to the complete disdain of political life. The society of Cyprus demands cleansing, expects to regain its lost credibility and pride. It demands a European Cyprus, a modern rule of law, a free country. According to the latest special Eurobarometer, young people in Cyprus consider that the actions of the European Union affect their daily lives and state that most of the time or sometimes they face difficulties in paying their bills and are not satisfied with the measures of the government or the European Union. The future of Cyprus is inextricably linked to the future of Europe. As the European Parliament, we are fighting for a better Europe. We expect the same from you. A constant struggle for a strong, progressive and democratic Cyprus that belongs to a better Europe. The people of Cyprus deserve decent wages. They call for a state that provides housing for all, supports young people, invests in new technologies and attracts business growth. They require support for the most vulnerable. They call for a clean and healthy environment by implementing the Green Deal, in a country where we harness all the benefits of solar energy and aim for sustainable development. Our country has been under Turkish occupation for 49 years. We are calling for a European solution and we are rightly seeking a more active involvement of the European Union in the process of resolving the Cyprus problem. Mr President, we acknowledge your will, we credit you with it, we expect action.

Madam President, I am shocked by the mass murders that have taken place in Serbia over the past few days. As a political group of Socialists and Democrats, we strongly condemn these attacks and express our full sympathy with the families of the victims. We must send the right signals for a better future to all citizens of the country. It is very important that reforms in Serbia are promoted in a transparent and dialogue with all stakeholders, so as to bring about positive changes in the daily lives of all citizens of the country, especially young people. I recognize that the difficulties remain and a lot of work still needs to be done. But I also acknowledge the fact that steps have been taken forward. My group remains supportive of the country's European perspective and will insist on the need to promote reforms. We will continue to fight for democratic accountability, the rule of law, media freedom, the fight against corruption. I close with the following message: we fully support Serbia’s European perspective and advocate a peaceful future for all the country’s inhabitants within the European family.

Mr President, Serbia is part of Europe and its future is inevitably to become a full member of the European Union. There is already a significant delay in this process. The responsibility for this delay, unfortunately, lies with the country's own government. This is because reforms are delayed, social justice is lacking, respect for the other viewpoint is missing, and the silences of journalists and media outlets not controlled by the government are being put into practice. Inertia in cases of extreme and inhuman exploitation of foreign labour. Attacks by parastatal groups on opposition leaders. While you expect to be part of European principles and values, you have to identify with them and join in imposing sanctions against Russia, without a lot of words. Some steps, of course, we have to admit that they have been taken. I am sending the message to the people of Serbia that we continue our support for a truly democratic Serbia, a member of the European Union.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, fortunately there is a strategic partner called Turkey, which identifies itself with sanctions against Russia, does not welcome the Russian oligarchs and does not continue the oriental bazaar. Fortunately, Turkey does not blackmail with immigration and does not instrumentalize refugees. Fortunately, Turkey respects the human rights of its citizens and does not put anyone who disagrees in prison. She has good relations with her neighbors and does not cause tension every now and then. It does not occupy European territories by force, does not provoke in the Aegean and does not attempt a new invasion of Syria as we speak. Unfortunately for us, this is a fairy tale that we would very much like to be true, but it also has an end, like all fairy tales. But some within the European family want to believe that this tale is true. For one reason, to serve the economic interests of their countries. And this fairy tale will not have a happy ending for Europe itself, but a tragic one. (Applause)

Mr President, citizenship of the European Union is one of its most tangible achievements and is at the heart of a common European identity, based on equality and non-discrimination. It is therefore of utmost importance that the Union institutions ensure that the rights deriving from its nationality are not undermined in any way. That is why I have proposed the promotion of common regulations on the granting of European citizenship, applicable in all Member States, so as to stop unfair competition in the granting of passports between Member States and without abusing the programme. Discrimination of all kinds concerns many petitions from citizens. Discrimination based on gender, nationality, sexual orientation, language, ethnic origin. Significant problems are faced by persons with disabilities in their daily lives, in the workplace, in access to medical care and in education. The requirement for citizens of the European Union to exercise their electoral rights, even when residing in another European Member State, is a frequent occurrence of petitions, as the right to vote is one of the most important rights of our citizens. That is why we should ensure that every citizen has the right to vote in any state of the Union where he or she resides. Free movement is also one of the strongest achievements, as it gives our citizens the freedom to travel, study, set up businesses, work and live harmoniously in other countries of the Union. In recent years, however, an increasing number of petitions have been registered relating to the problems citizens face in relation to their right to free movement. It is therefore easy to see that we must find immediate solutions without further delay, because the issue is directly linked to the very image of the European Union.

Madam President, the objective of the Eighth Environment Action Programme is the Union's rapid and just transition to a climate-neutral and inclusive economy. The environmental objectives of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and those of sustainable development must also be achieved. The programme is an ambitious high-level strategic tool to guide the European Union's environmental policy until 2030. It must include the actions and objectives of the European Green Deal and the Sustainable Development Goals. At the same time, it should closely monitor progress towards the 2050 targets at the latest. People should live well within planetary boundaries in a prosperous and sustainable economy where nothing is wasted. A clean environment will ensure people's health. Biodiversity and ecosystems will thrive and nature will be protected. There will also be enhanced resilience to climate change, natural disasters and other environmental risks. Europe along with the rest of the world is in a race against time to avoid catastrophic impacts on the economy and society from climate change, ecosystem degradation and overconsumption of natural resources. Especially today, with the huge environmental disaster, beyond the human one that is unfolding in Ukraine, there is an urgent need to implement the programme. We have ensured that social issues such as references to reducing inequalities are included in the 8th programme. We have also ensured that actions taken to achieve the programme’s objectives are carried out in a socially fair and inclusive manner. Protecting the environment, while protecting social rights!

Mr President, in Paris in 2015, there was a promise to try to prevent global warming beyond one and a half degrees. The sequel, however, says otherwise. We had a failed summit in Glasgow because we were more content with wishful thinking than with making concrete commitments. Our countries, especially in the Mediterranean, are facing ongoing heatwaves resulting in catastrophic fires, while other countries are flooding and some areas are threatened with extinction due to melting ice. Let's be honest. The clock counts down. It cannot be accepted that, while we are trying to reduce pollutants, the other roommates of the planet are content with wishful thinking, without meaningful commitments. Violence cannot increase the use of coal for energy purposes on the altar of most profits. Europe is responsible for less than 10% of the global burden. The US, Russia, China and India that have the greatest responsibility must run faster, because there is no time. And we shouldn't be too tolerant. Because no matter what we do as Europe, if the other players don't cooperate, the game will be lost for good.

Madam President, under the 8th Environment Action Programme, the Union's transition to a climate-neutral and inclusive economy must be swift and fair. The environmental objectives of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and those of sustainable development must also be achieved. The programme is an ambitious high-level strategic tool under the guidance of the European Union's environmental policy until 2030. It must include the actions and objectives of the European Green Deal and the Sustainable Development Goals. At the same time, it should closely monitor progress towards the objectives. By 2050 at the latest, people should live well, within planetary boundaries, in a prosperous and sustainable economy where nothing is wasted. A clean environment will ensure people's health. Biodiversity and ecosystems will thrive and nature will be protected. This will increase resilience to climate change, natural disasters and other environmental risks. As S&D, we ensured the inclusion of social issues, such as references to reducing inequalities. We have also ensured that the measures taken to achieve the objectives of the 8th Programme are implemented in a socially fair and inclusive manner. Protecting the environment and protecting social rights.