Speeches

Water is vital, one of the most precious goods that man has. Cyprus, although it is an island, is washed by the sea, however it faces huge problems of drought and water scarcity. Unfortunately, the quantities of drinking water are at dangerously low levels, while the dams in our country have dried up. I sound the alarm, asking for support for my country to face the huge problem it faces. We urgently need to find solutions to the problems. It is necessary to release funds to support countries where the prolonged drought has become a nightmare, while the creation of seawater desalination plants can contribute positively to solving the problem, since it will help primarily farmers, and secondly households and businesses. Finally, as the European Union we must institutionalise a pricing policy so that there is a cap on the price of water. The consumer should be able to buy water at the same price, whether it is purchased from a supermarket or from a luxury restaurant.

Madam President, today we are debating another draft resolution on Armenia. A text that contains several positive points, in particular on its democratic and European path. At the same time, however, it also contains references that cause me serious concern about its strategic orientation. Recently, as part of my parliamentary activity, I had the opportunity to speak with Armenians in Armenia, Cyprus and elsewhere. What I found alarming. Two different worlds, two different perceptions, two different political approaches. On the one hand, those who unfortunately compromise with the occupation and remain silent in the face of war crimes. On the other hand, those who refuse to forget and continue to fight for their historical rights. I have to be clear. Because politics and diplomacy cannot be based on fine words, but on sincerity, I must send a short message to the people of Armenia, both to those who keep the historical memory alive, but also to those who have compromised. People who forget their history are doomed to relive it.

Madam President, the housing crisis is one of the biggest problems and one of the biggest challenges facing the European Union. Lack of affordable housing particularly affects young people, low- and middle-income families and vulnerable groups. It undermines social cohesion, dignity and equality. The increased rent prices are a huge scourge that could not be left out of my homeland, since rents have skyrocketed. But this problem is not enough for us. In Cyprus, as in some other European countries, we have the sale of first homes. Citizens are forced to leave their homes as there is no protection of the right to housing, which further exacerbates the existing problem. I would stress that the arbitrariness with the sale of first homes must be brought to an end. We must safeguard the inalienable right of every citizen to housing, which is the foundation of every family.

Mr. President, clashes of people with sticks, clubs, axes, pistols. Shooting in broad daylight. They are not images of war. They are images of European failure. I did not describe scenes from Syria, nor from any extreme Islamic state. I describe scenes from clashes in once peaceful Cyprus. Scenes from a small European town, Larnaca. Europe is at risk from the policies of those who opened the gates to illegal immigrants. Behind all this there are culprits: The Left, the Greens, the Liberals and the pseudo-right led to chaos and now insecurity is prevalent in every European city. European citizens in last year's European Parliament elections sent a clear and unambiguous message. They're asking for security. They're asking for a check. They're asking for results. They're asking for their neighborhoods back. They demand an end to the illusions of integration and a strict immigration policy to the standards applied by Poland at last. Europe will either choose to protect its borders and citizens or it will finally accept its extinction.

Thank you, Madam President. In the last few hours, the situation in Syria is in danger of being dangerously diverted. I am therefore tabling the following amendment for an additional paragraph: It condemns the recent escapes of hundreds of ISIS detainees from prisons in northeast Syria, which seriously undermine internal stability as well as regional security. The difference with the previous amendment is that here we condemn escapes.

Mr President, in a world of rapid geopolitical developments it is important to promote cooperation between all Member States based on our common interests, European principles and values. Determine that international law, sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable and inviolable values. I must welcome the introduction. Very good point for Cyprus, Greece and Turkish aggression. At the same time, however, I am concerned about the dangerous attempts by some to abolish unanimity in foreign policy matters. Mrs Kallas, I have heard you speak again about the liberation of Ukraine, about Gaza, Venezuela, Iran, Greenland and even the Pacific islands. Again, there is no mention of Cyprus. Doesn't your tongue turn? Keep this in mind: As long as Cyprus remains under occupation, it is hypocrisy and shame to talk about freedom and security.

Madam President, Mr President, on behalf of the ECR, we welcome you to the European Parliament. We welcome the start of the Cyprus Presidency and declare that we are at the disposal of our country to offer all our strength. The central pillar of our policy is the autonomy of Europe, which by extension also means national autonomy, which will play a decisive role amid geopolitical developments. A sense of security, trust and dignity must be conveyed to all European citizens through policies that meet real needs. That is, we must aim for productive autonomy, supporting the primary and secondary production sector. Financial autonomy through strengthening our competitiveness internationally, and cutting red tape. Housing autonomy, offering incentives for affordable housing that is a pillar of the sacred institution of the family. Energy autonomy through the utilization of European energy reserves and our natural wealth. Defence autonomy, supporting the creation of a strong European defence and industry. Autonomy in all areas means reducing dependencies. It means an autonomous Europe that can decide for itself, without burdens and obligations. That is, a Europe that can play a leading role in global developments. Dear colleagues, Cyprus takes over the Presidency of the European Council for the second time after 14 years, but it is still under Turkish occupation and could play a decisive role because of its geographical position as a bridge of cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean. However, it has Turkey blackmailing every day with the use of weapons, instrumentalising migration, funding terrorist organisations, blocking European projects of common interest and threatening to invade suddenly overnight. It is a shame for Europe to care only for Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, Venezuela and Honduras, but not for its own children, for its own territories, for its own Member States, for the country that chairs the European Council. The liberation of Cyprus is a European task for all of us.

Madam President, I would like to inform the House that European citizens and farmers have been under threat for almost two months. First in the village of Denia, where armed Turkish soldiers attacked farmers, talking about supposedly new borders. Then in the village of Mammari, where Turkish soldiers along with occupation authorities stoned farmers, and luckily we had no dead. Then to the village of Avlona, where they advanced into the buffer zone. Indeed, while the United Nations Office in Cyprus assured that it would not be repeated, three days ago we had the same. This is why the strong support of this House is needed. I have already called for a condemnatory resolution for the next plenary session in February, and I hope that everyone will rise to the occasion before we mourn victims. I expect all the political groups to support it, as my ECR political group does. As you have already said, Madam President, Greenland is not for sale. We need to send the same message – Cyprus is not for sale, because it is guarded.

Mr President, today we are discussing the need to combat discrimination. Respect for democracy, human rights and our Christian faith are elements of our European heritage. But how can we speak of common values when we undermine the values of our faith? A few days ago we witnessed a sad incident. The supposedly progressive authorities in Brussels set up a manger with faceless figures with empty heads, while fanatical Islamists turned it into a manger without heads. The multicultural society created in collaboration with the left, the center with the pseudo-right turns against European culture and our Christian faith. It was even worse in Cyprus. A pseudo-artist provokes with his blasphemous paintings depicting Christ and the Virgin Mary in obscene deeds. This is not freedom of expression. It is a brute and direct insult to our faith and ideals. It turns out that the greatest discrimination that exists today is Christianophobia. As much as it bothers some people, I wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

Madam President, Thucydides: Preparedness prevents war. Pericles: Peace can be preserved with force. Vegetius: If you want peace, prepare for war. Clausewitz: To avoid war, convince the adversary that war is not in his interest. Unfortunately, this has taken many years for Europe to understand. To avoid war it will not be with wishful thinking or with leftist and green paranoid policies. Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, coupled with Donald Trump's statements, has awakened Europe from its lethargy. I am talking about lethargy, because the threats of war and the illegal occupation of European territories pre-existed, with Greece and Cyprus as victims respectively. I wonder if those who today support Turkey's participation in European armament programmes would have the same attitude if it illegally occupied a third of the territory of Spain, Germany or France and illegally distributed Madrid, Berlin or Paris in the middle. Europe will not gain its credibility with hypocrisy.