Speeches

Madam President, Commissioner, let me talk a little more generally about the upcoming elections. We are going through the last months of this legislature, during which events such as Brexit, the Covid pandemic, wars, a surge in migration occurred. All this raises too many questions about what Europe we want. All of us, therefore, as elected representatives, are sincerely called upon to give answers to the citizens. In the run-up to the June election, we must say clearly: Do we want a strong Europe, with a common foreign and security policy? Do we want a Europe that deals with immigration together or a Europe where everyone looks at their own home? Do we want a Europe with equal members and a right of veto or a Europe where the voices of the little ones drown? Do we want a Europe that stands on its own two feet or that is lagging behind? The challenges lie ahead of us and we must be ready to face them. This is what European citizens demand of us: Answer these questions honestly and courageously. If we manage to give convincing answers, then we will also bring citizens to the polls. This, I think, is perhaps the most important challenge.

Mr President, Commissioner, what has come to light about the journalistic investigation into Cyprus should be thoroughly investigated, and if violations are detected by anyone, there is one way: The one of justice. There is no discussion of this. Those who stole, if they stole, those who broke the laws, if they broke them, yes, go to jail, no matter how high they are. Dear colleagues, Cyprus is accused of a programme that was abolished in November 2020, while this programme is in force in other European countries. Cyprus is targeted. Not unfairly, with what's published. But here I must remind you of some other truths that we must not forget. In 2013, the European Union treated Cyprus with a deposit haircut. Thousands of my compatriots have been impoverished. Thousands of fortunes were lost overnight. Fortunately, ten years after that, the experiment has not been repeated anywhere else. Yet another truth: Cyprus, on the basis of principles and values, has always supported the decisions of the European Union, even if these had huge economic and political costs for my country. It is good not to forget them. I stand before you and defend my people and my country and not the thieves and those who exploited any weaknesses of the program. I repeat, the sooner those involved pay, if they are involved, the sooner my country's name will be cleared.

Mr President, Commissioner Borrell, the developments in the Gaza region, the temporary ceasefire announced a few hours ago, which includes the return of prisoners, opens a small window of hope. From the very first moment we condemned the terrorist attack by Hamas, which opened the bag of Aeolus. We defended Israel's right to self-defense, while at the same time stating that civilians and the ordinary Palestinian people should not pay for Hamas' crimes. Ladies and gentlemen, we must find a solution to the huge humanitarian issue. At this point, Mr Borrell, I would like to remind you of Cyprus' initiative to create a humanitarian corridor from my country to the war zone. Cyprus is the closest geographical European territory in the field of conflict and is present in a practical way in the effort to resolve the humanitarian issue. I am pleased, Mr Borrell, that you support this initiative. An initiative that is not only Cypriot, but also European.

Madam President, Commissioner, World Children's Day. Today is just a reminder that this world does not belong to us. We borrowed it from our children. Our children, who are our future, the purest part of society. Children are tomorrow and deserve better days than we do. Children should not be victims of war. Children should not hurt, fight, die from bombings and bullets. Children should not work, be hungry, suffer, be abused. Children should smile, go to school, play, dream, have fun with their childhood. Children are our world and this world is more beautiful, because there are in it our children, our children. And if even one child is saved, then there will be hope.

Madam President, Commissioner, let us just talk. The dream of acquiring a home and living a decent life is for millions of couples an elusive and unrealizable dream. The reasons are very simple. There is neither the financial capacity nor the necessary assistance to implement the self-evident: the right to a home, a home to house their dreams and family. Banks are getting rich, interest rates in some countries, like mine, have skyrocketed, and new couples are failing to meet the increasingly absurd demands of banks. And because we said to speak simply, the solution is simple: a bridle to the banks, practical help to young couples to grant loans on terms that can be repaid. Decent housing is a universal right for all citizens.

Mr President, Commissioner, it is finally necessary to define a concrete and comprehensive strategy on migration. Small countries, like mine, have been left alone to deal with a huge problem that should be tackled collectively. That has to change. As we speak, 7% of the population of my semi-occupied country are asylum seekers. Most of them come from Turkey illegally through the occupied territories. We in Cyprus know about refugees. We have already experienced it and experienced its consequences. But there are also limits and limits. If these are overcome, then serious humanitarian problems arise. Therefore, immediately adopt the Pact on Asylum and Migration as the only solution. That's what's required. And in this work we are by your side, Commissioner.

Mr President, Commissioner, we have discussed the issue of Turkey and its relationship with the European Union countless times in this Chamber. Unfortunately, we always come to the same conclusions, which, however, remain mere findings, without being accompanied by actions. So let us come together to recall bitter truths about Turkey, many of which are included in the report. In Turkey there is no democracy, but Erdogan's dictatorship that oppresses and deprives Turkish citizens of basic human rights. The rule of law in Turkey is far from European principles and values. Turkey is at war with almost all neighbouring countries. It does not respect the commitments it has made towards the European Union on migration and instead uses it to gain more. It has been illegally occupying European territory for almost half a century and is threatening two Member States with war. It blackmails and vetoes NATO enlargement. This is Turkey, to which some insist, Commissioner, on granting a customs union and a visa. So as long as some insist on doing what they don't understand, we will continue to speak truths, no matter how bitter they may sound in your ears.

Mr Borrell, because you said that European observers are not authorised to go to the area, I took the trouble and went six hundred kilometres by car to register people without electricity, people without access to basic necessities, people who went to see their families and were asked to come back, to get an Azerbaijani passport, and they remain so far away from their families. So I went to this point and saw the Russian peacekeepers, whom you referred to a moment ago, sitting down and doing absolutely nothing to prevent the creation of faits accomplis. My question is specific, because you said that the two sides are talking. When you get the victim to talk to the perpetrator, the only thing that happens is that the perpetrator saves time and the victim dies, Mr. Borrell. Humanitarian aid does not reach these areas. What do we do as Europe? People wanted to know from me, a European MEP, what we do as Europe. There are no observers in the area. You said they can't go. When I was on Armenia's border with Azerbaijan, there were hostilities with four dead, about a month ago. Do observers record these, send them somewhere? And what do we do as Europe?

Mr President, Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Cyprus is a small country on the edge of Europe, where East and West meet, at a crossroads of cultures and history. We survive and survive in this corner of the earth because we serve and believe in principles and values that define us as Europeans: justice, solidarity, freedom. Cyprus, ladies and gentlemen, is the only European country that has occupied part of its territory. It is owned by a state that knocks on the door of Europe and demands to receive all the benefits, economic and political, without retreating and without offering anything. A country with a leadership that does not discuss, does not talk and does not cooperate and constantly makes new faits accomplis. On the contrary, it threatens war from time to time between two Member States of the European Union. And we all know why. Because apart from the verbal support, our European family has never been willing to pressure Turkey with measures and actions that would force it to back down. And this, ladies and gentlemen, not only does it not translate into solidarity, but it is a double standard policy. A policy that doesn't honor us. Despite this unfair practice that hurts us, we will continue to fight, because we defend universal values, such as freedom. Even alone, we will continue to serve them, calling on our European family to join us. Mr. President, we heard you. What must now be done is for Europe to listen to you and stand by you, as you have requested, with actions and actions that will prove European solidarity. (Applause)

Mr President, I welcome you to the European Parliament. As an MEP coming from a small country, Cyprus, I welcome the leader of another small European country, but with a great contribution to the European process. What unites us in Europe are its principles and values, which we all have to uphold. Coming from a small country, Prime Minister, I want to state emphatically that solidarity is interpreted for us many times as safeguarding our existence. Unfortunately, I cannot say that we, the small Member States, have received as much solidarity or support as we can. I would like to warmly thank you for your country's principled stance on the Cyprus problem, a problem of invasion and occupation. Thank you even for your country's stance on the very serious issue of migration. As a small country we have been left to fight alone, receiving so far only verbal support, without any meaningful solutions. Because only practical and concrete actions to support the small Member States can achieve real solidarity and European integration, as you have described it before. Otherwise we will simply be talking about a Europe of the few and the powerful, which I am sure neither you nor we accept.

Mr President, Commissioner, well done to the rapporteurs for their very important work! Today a very important step is being taken, because in a Europe that wants to be defined as a Europe of equality and equity, the pay gap between men and women is not acceptable. Not only is it not acceptable, it is also sad, unacceptable and insulting to all those who came here with the vote of European citizens. Let's look at some elements together: Women in Europe earn 13% less than men. There are huge variations from country to country. Higher share of women in part-time employment (30% women, 8% men). Women work more hours each week than men. One-third of women are forced to stop working for childcare reasons. These and many other elements prove, ladies and gentlemen, that the 'equal pay for equal work' in today's Europe does not apply and, if that is not the case, we cannot speak of a Europe of equality and equality before the law. We cannot talk much without doing everything we need to remove this injustice. Today we are taking an important step. There is still much to be done and we need to be united.

Madam President, Commissioner, the conclusions of the European Council are in the right direction. But is that enough? I hear strong criticism, but I do not hear from some sides suggestions on how to solve migration. I hear not on fences, not on walls. I hate fences and walls more than anyone, because Turkey put a fence in Cyprus and divided my country. I hate fences. But tell me what we can do when dozens of people come daily from Turkey, not from war zones, by air from Turkey to the free areas of the Republic. Where is Frontex? What is the role of Frontex? Turkey receives billions from the European Union and does not respect its agreements. How can we compel her? These issues must be seen and left to populism.

Madam President, I would like to express my shock and condolences to those affected by the devastating earthquake in Syria and Turkey. Cyprus has the victims in mind. We mourn 48 Turkish Cypriots who perished in the ruins, including dozens of children. Their pain is our pain too. At times when nature reminds us that we are weak, unity and solidarity are required. We as the European Union must respond without delay to support the affected regions. But I also have to say this. Erdoğan refused the offer of my country, Cyprus, to send rescuers and humanitarian aid because he does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus. One should tell him that in the face of human suffering there is no place for petty political expediencies.

Mr President, Mr Borrell, Europe without a common foreign policy and common security is a giant standing on clay feet. Europe without a common foreign policy and security is doomed to remain a global payer, but it will never become a global player. There's a lot going on, you said it yourself, but we still have a long way to go. If you want, I can share with you many examples where Europe pays, but others are in charge; Afghanistan, Ukraine, Syria, Armenia. The absence of a common foreign policy also gives grounds for adopting the unacceptable double standards. Do you want another example? Sanctions against Russia for the invasion of Ukraine, no punishment for Turkey for the invasion of Cyprus. Ladies and gentlemen, either we are at last creating the conditions for a common foreign and security policy, or we are choosing to remain simply an economic organisation which pays the bill and lags behind developments, without being able to determine them.

Mr President, Commissioner, we are talking about interventions and I am one of the people who does not chew on my words. I feel shame and anger at what has come to light in the last few days. Allegations of serving the interests of foreign powers that have nothing to do with European principles and values are extremely worrying and insulting. The credibility of the institutions has been greatly damaged, and that is clear. We must act swiftly and effectively. It is our political and moral obligation to deal once and for all with the Trojan horses who are trying in every dirty way to invade the European Union and tarnish it. Their objective is one: promoting their interests by all means and at all costs. Well, it won't pass them. But the message must be one and it must be loud. It's addressed to everyone. The European Parliament stands united against all forms of interference, buy-out and bribery. The European Union is not for sale, it is not for sale.

Madam President, we are talking about stability in the wider region of the Middle East, an area in which my homeland, Cyprus, is the extreme European border. I am therefore well aware of the importance of stability and security in our region, but also of the importance of more active European involvement in achieving this goal. Let's not hide behind our finger. Stability is not self-evident when dealing with neighbours who do not share our principles and values. I expected you, Mr Borrell's representative, to mention a country which you did not mention in a strange way: Turkey, which daily threatens war, carries out airstrikes in Syria and Iraq, is causing constant tension in the region with illegal drilling in a European exclusive zone. With this in mind, there can be neither security nor stability. Once again I want to remind you of something that some people may not want to remember: This country, Turkey, is a candidate for membership of our European family. Turkey has European territory. Turkey, thanks to our double standards policy, will continue to undermine peace in the wider region.

Mr President, Commissioner, energy policy is being raised for the first time as an important issue in European affairs. A strong Europe must have energy security and a common foreign policy. The crisis in Ukraine has highlighted our energy dependence on Russia. We have to turn to the inside of Europe and my country, Cyprus, can play an essential role through the important deposits found in the Cypriot EEZ. The time has come to secure our home with our own resources, the time has come to protect our interests threatened by foreign powers standing up to European principles and values. Turkey – and let us not hide – is among these countries and if we do not act quickly, Erdoğan will become the new Putin. Help us to mine these European resources for the benefit of all of us. I do not know if we should ask Mr Erdoğan if we can do that too.

Madam President, Commissioner, the impoverishment of millions of European citizens is a reality that we must face up to. For many months we have been experiencing the impact of a war that broke out in our yard with tragic results in all areas. The sharp increase in prices exacerbates the problem and, unfortunately, makes it utopian to achieve the goal of ending extreme poverty by 2030. The number of people who are unhappy is constantly increasing. What is now needed is a Europe-wide strategy that supports consumers, small businesses and, in general, those who pay the cost of a situation for which they have no responsibility. A strategy that will focus on specific vulnerable groups of our fellow human beings: children, women, single mothers, young people, the elderly, the unemployed, the homeless and people with disabilities. Today, our fellow human beings are fighting for a decent life. We are called upon to lighten the burden on households and businesses. We call on Member States to immediately consider exempting basic foodstuffs from VAT for as long as the crisis continues and the immediate application of the minimum wage. Decent living and social protection are values that a Europe of solidarity is called upon to uphold.

Mr President, Commissioner, I do not really know how hypocritical it is to talk about a report in which the words 'Turkey' and 'progress' coexist in the same sentence. I no longer know how useful it is to draw from this step all those arguments that clearly prove that Erdogan's Turkey has nothing to do with the European project. So even if some people have their ears closed, we ought to stand here before you and remind you of some bitter realities. We owe it to the millions of victims of Turkish expansionism, to the Greeks, Pontians, Armenians and Kurds. I owe it to the dead and the refugees of my homeland, Cyprus. All of them are looking us in the eye today and asking us - they are asking you, Commissioner - how much longer we will pretend that Turkey has a place next to democratic European societies. How much longer will we accept the slaughterer of European citizens demanding, threatening, benefiting from the European Union, without being held accountable for his crimes. Do you have an answer to the question "interests or values"? If there was a response and if we were serving values and not interests, we would not even be discussing a progress report on Turkey today. (Applause)

Madam President, Commissioner, I have seen colleagues thundering and giving lessons in democracy here today and not waiting to hear an answer; As soon as they say their poem, they leave without having a controversy. This is democracy as they see it. The rule of law is the basis and shield of the European Union, whether some like it or not. Any actions that challenge the rule of law, challenge the institutional basis of the European Union. The Commission's annual Rule of Law Report should be a useful tool to highlight democratic deficits. Safeguarding free and independent journalism and combating malicious SLAPPs is an integral part of the rule of law system. Free journalism is democracy. Without free journalists, no one in Europe can feel free. The European Union means protecting vulnerable groups, it means solidarity, it means respect, but it also means obligations and commitment to principles and values. Without principles and values we cannot be a family with perspective and future. And this, Commissioner, applies not only to Member States, but also to states that want to become members of the European Union and also have obligations, such as Turkey for example.

Mr President, Commissioner, once again we are talking about human rights violations in Turkey. Once again we are talking about a blatant violation of human rights and a violation of the rule of law by the Erdoğan regime. The Kavala case is yet another proof of who we're dealing with. A fascist regime with a leader who counts nothing and no one. A few days ago, one of my Turkish Cypriot compatriots, a journalist, Sener Levent, was sentenced by an Ankara court in absentia to one year in prison for – listen to this – insulting Erdogan. This is Turkey knocking on the door of the European Union. Intruder, occupier, human rights abuser; a regime that violently silences every voice of reaction. This is Turkey playing peacemaker in the Ukrainian crisis, once again expecting benefits and gains from the European Union. How hypocritical to close our eyes. I look you in the eye and tell you honestly: There is no extenuating circumstance as long as we tolerate this behavior. Tolerance is complicity. I refuse to be an accomplice. What about you?

Mr President, Commissioner, first of all I would like to congratulate the rapporteur and friend Domènec Ruiz Devesa on his excellent work and I would like to thank colleagues for the excellent cooperation we have had in writing this report, a report that reflects all our concerns and at the same time provides answers to the challenges we face as a Union in the area of citizenship education and education. The pandemic has left its mark on the younger generation, who are timidly trying to stand on their own feet. This is where our role is. With the programmes and resources we have in our hands, we must give opportunities, we must nurture citizenship education and encourage the strengthening of a common European identity. The report calls for more investment in education, cooperation between Member States and a strong integration of the European dimension in education. No child should be left without access to education and no child should be left without access to citizenship education. Robert Schuman, one of the architects of the European Union, said Europe needed soul, vision and political will. That is why we want to strengthen citizenship education. We want young people with critical thinking, vision and political will, we want young people ready to face the digital transition, the green transition and all the challenges Europe is facing. We want our young, ready and active European citizens.

Mr President, Mr Borrell, I have judged you too many times, but tonight I thank you very much, because you have been here too many hours and you listen to us patiently. We are talking tonight about China, a country which we rightly condemn for its behaviour. My question is this: When are we going to talk about other countries not participating in the sanctions? For countries that undermine European sanctions, such as Turkey? China is Europe's economic partner. Turkey, I remind you, is a candidate country for accession to the European Union and not only does it not participate, but it undermines sanctions and I have too many examples to tell you. She is even playing mediator in this crisis, Mr Borrell, to come tomorrow to ask for her gifts from you, from the European Union.

Madam President, Commissioners, Minister, today with the pandemic crisis and the war in Ukraine raging, low-income households are facing a very serious problem of poverty. There is an urgent need to promote family-friendly policies that safeguard the rights and well-being of our children. The European Semester should also focus on persons with disabilities. These people face a particularly high risk of poverty and social exclusion. The Commission should assess the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the Member States. We should also close Europe-wide skills gaps and shortages, improving them according to the needs of future labour markets. Sustainable development and well-being of all European citizens must be at the heart of the European Union's social strategy. A huge humanitarian crisis is currently underway in Europe. We must put people at the forefront of our policy.

Mr President, Commissioner, Minister, we have done our duty and Europe, united, has responded immediately to Russia's invasion with unprecedented sanctions. When international law and human rights are violated, this must be our reaction. Clear and without giving second chances. I know as a Cypriot what war, refugees, uprooting means. I know what it means to leave your house with a suitcase in your hand. I know what it means to lose loved ones. My father is wounded in a war, a war committed by Turkey against Cyprus and never condemned, never punished. We have managed – and we have done well – in 48 hours to impose strong sanctions on Russia, which we have not done for almost 48 years when Turkey forcibly occupies half of my homeland; Turkey playing it undisturbed on two dashboards in the Ukrainian crisis. It does not participate in sanctions and does not shut the skies on Russian planes. If I remember correctly, Turkey is still a candidate country for accession to the European Union. I urge you to act in the same way to defend the law in all cases, avoiding the application of the double standards policy. This is the only way to maintain our European credibility. This is the only way we can convince ourselves of our intentions. Refugees are refugees no matter where they come from, no matter how many years they spend.