Speeches

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.

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.

Mr President, Turkey has invaded, killed, raped, plundered, uprooted thousands of Greek Cypriots from their homes and continues to occupy 37 % of the Republic of Cyprus. In 1983 he attempted to legitimize illegality through unilateral separatist actions. But no declaration of so-called independence, no false flag or so-called government can legitimize the occupation. Therefore, no international organization or state recognizes it, only the conqueror, Turkey. The truth is simple. The Turkish invasion of Cyprus is no different from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. But the treatment is different. How is it possible for Europe to impose sanctions on Russia, but for Turkey to receive European funding and participation in defence agreements instead of sanctions? How is it possible to reward the conqueror and punish the victim? This is not a policy of solidarity, but a policy of hypocrisy. The voice you hear today is not just the voice of a Cypriot. It is the voice of a European citizen who wants to live freely in his country. And, Commissioner, the only solution is liberalisation.

Madam President, Article 200. I must inform you of a very serious incident last Saturday. In the village of Denia, armed Turkish soldiers advanced on land belonging to the Republic of Cyprus. They invaded the ceasefire line and attacked farmers, boldly announcing that this European piece of land now belongs to the Turkish occupiers. Immediately I rushed to the point where representatives of the United Nations confirmed the incident to me, while I saw with my own eyes the terror in the faces of the inhabitants. Even today European farmers have not returned to their fields, after the occupation authorities only yesterday warned that they will not allow it, threatening to escalate tensions. Ladies and gentlemen, I have already requested a condemnatory resolution at the next plenary session and I ask for the support of all of you. Our sovereignty is not negotiable. Our freedom is not bargained. Europe has an obligation to stand by the Republic of Cyprus.

Mr President, not only institutional and budgetary reforms are necessary for enlargement, as the motion for a resolution states. Alignment with the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy is also crucial. Also problematic and dangerous is the attempt to abolish unanimity and move to the principle of majority. That is, Commissioner, if Turkey serves the strategic and economic interests of the majority of European states, is it allowed to continue instrumentalising migration and arming terrorist organisations such as ISIS and Hamas, threatening Greece, the Kurds and Israel with war, illegally occupying Cyprus and not cooperating for the missing, blocking projects of common European interest, as it does with the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) and EastMed? Enlargement is not an excuse to sacrifice our principles, values and security. Faced with a Europe of interests, we are standing up for a Europe of solidarity.

Mr President, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty reminds us all of the tragic reality experienced by millions of people around the world. Poverty is not an empty word, but the imprint of deprivation, pain, the daily struggle for a piece of bread and to ensure a satisfactory level of health. Let us all realize that behind every poverty number lies a person, a family, a child who lacks the basics. What I have described is an open wound for humanity, let alone for Europe itself, which wants to promote growth and prosperity. It is a challenge that in 2025 the European Union is still plagued by unemployment, inequalities and economic insecurity, as well as the fact that there are people without access to basic goods, who live on the brink of poverty and social exclusion. The image we see in major European capitals with homeless people on the streets is a disgrace. It is unacceptable that behind the beautiful curtains of false prosperity there are citizens who live in social grocery stores, with a minimum guaranteed income, with soup kitchens, sell them their properties, "haircut" their deposits, as in Cyprus. Europe must live up to its values by offering real solutions, not empty words of comfort. Policies should not be of a supportive nature but should be geared towards increasing household incomes. Ladies and gentlemen, the solution lies neither in the communism of leveling nor in the unbridled capitalism of indifference. The solution lies in logic and balance, and we here have the responsibility to choose policies that give citizens the means to stand up, not just to survive, but to live with dignity. We must build a world where dignity is not a privilege, but a right of all.

Madam President, agriculture is undoubtedly the backbone of our economy. Unfortunately, agreements like Mercosur not only do not support our peoples, but they also exterminate farmers and the primary sector. Small and medium-sized producers see their efforts becoming prey to the appetites of multinationals and unfair trade agreements. We can't stay as spectators anymore. We must defend our rural society with policies that strengthen our homelands and not foreign interests. Let us stand by our producers demanding dignity, fairness and a fair economic policy that will protect the primary sector. Let us understand that every drop of sweat in our fields unites the past with the future and strengthens our national sovereignty. We need to cut red tape and simplify the criteria. Invest in our own production, reducing imports, fighting unfair competition. To adopt measures that will safeguard agricultural development.

Madam President, one of the greatest challenges that threatens the European construction - and by extension the European family - is illegal immigration, which, together with the huge demographic problem plaguing most Member States, threatens to erase European history and culture. It is not an exaggeration but a bitter, relentless reality. A walk in Paris, Madrid, Berlin, Rome, Athens, Stockholm is enough to convince even the most skeptical. But when a country like Poland stands up with a strict immigration policy, it is criticized. Anyone who hastens to accuse me is reminded that my homeland, Cyprus, too, has surrendered to the mercy of illegal immigrants – with Turkey, which covets the entire island, instrumentalising them. Let's understand this: The future of Europe is in our hands. We can't stand still. We must fight to defend the European identity of so many centuries and what our ancestors bequeathed to us.

Mr President, sport is not just an activity. It is a tool of health, wellness, a social good that cultivates the spirit, teaches patience, discipline and respect, while giving new goals and hope, keeping them away from addictive substances and drugs. For just as the empty mind does not think, so the weak body does not fight. It is no coincidence that the Latin phrase "Mens sana in corpore sano" means "a healthy mind in a healthy body". It is imperative that we cultivate high national ideals for our young people to fight for their homeland. We must safeguard equal access to sport for all, whether they live in remote, mountainous or remote areas or even in disadvantaged urban neighbourhoods. At the same time, we must ensure support for all sports, whether they are Olympic or non-Olympic. Investing in sport is a strategic choice for the future of Europe. It is our duty, then, to give him the place he deserves.

Mr President, we condemn in the strongest and strongest terms the abductions of Greek Cypriots by the occupying authorities. But to get there, there are serious responsibilities. Commissioner, do you remember when the President of the Commission spoke about the Cyprus issue in the last year? Don't let me get in your way, ever. Indifference is what feeds the voracious monster, Turkey and its puppet in the occupied territories. The European Union has a responsibility both for its apathy and for the consequences of the Green Line Regulation. However, because it is easy to criticize the European Union, all the political parties that ruled in Cyprus, who not only accepted the regulation, but also proceeded to open more barricades, giving legitimacy to illegality, normalizing the occupation, leaving citizens at the mercy of Ankara's appetites. We therefore call for a reassessment of the regulation, the closure of the barricades and punitive measures, such as the suspension of all funds until everyone is released.

Madam President, Madam President of the Commission, one year after my election, I have been constantly following all your speeches before the plenary. In your placements you refer to Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, China, the United States of America, Russia, the Western Balkans, Israel, Palestine, Syria, and even Hungary and green politics. But, Madam President of the Commission, do you know how many times you have spoken about the Turkish illegal occupation of Cyprus? Never, never, never. The missing and the displaced? Never, never, never. For the enclaves and colonisation of a Member State? Never, never, never. For war crimes committed in Cyprus? Never, never, never. For violations in the Cypriot EEZ? Never again. For Famagusta and Kyrenia? Never, never, never. The desecration of our religious heritage? Never again. Even today, for the abduction of the five Greek Cypriots not a word. Madam President of the Commission, if Cyprus and the Turkish occupation do not exist in your vocabulary, it is time to include them.

As a person who was in the fires, I have my own opinion of what happened. I saw the shortcomings, I saw that there were huge gaps. That is why I stressed the need for this mechanism to be strengthened so that Europe can finally be made safe.

Mr President, last summer was black, in the colour of the ashes from the fires, proving the huge shortcomings of rescEU, which left Europe in the grip of fire, from Spain to Cyprus. As of 7 October 2024, I had warned by proposing a series of measures, such as the creation of a strong pan-European fire brigade and Member States’ cooperation mechanism, the tightening of penalties for malicious fires, an increase in European funds for fire victims and the effective use of volunteers. Both as an MEP and as a person who participated voluntarily in the firefighting, I must offer my congratulations to the unsung heroes, the firefighters, the nurses, the members of the security forces and the volunteers who boldly and selflessly rush to the call of their homeland. Finally, I must express my gratitude to my colleague Nicola Procaccini for his willingness to help through the Italian Government and thank the Israeli Government with Mr Saar for responding immediately to the call by sending firefighting planes.