Speeches

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.

Mr President, the terrorist attack on the Greek Orthodox church of Prophet Elijah in Damascus, which killed believers, including young children, is a blow to freedom of faith, human dignity and the very core of European values. It was not an isolated incident. There have been several horrific executions of civilians. The inaction, tolerance and reward of the terrorist government with the lifting of sanctions led us to the attack. Unfortunately, when we warned we were extreme, but in the end it was the extremes who did not realize the dangers. It is a moral obligation for the victims to proceed with decisive measures, with the suspension of disbursement of funds until the protection of all religious and ethnic minorities is ensured. Europe cannot finance terrorism. If we do not act decisively, we will have failed not only as politicians but also as people. No appeal and no resolution will work unless it comes at a cost. It is only when the violation of rights has consequences that compliance begins.

Mr President, the terrorist attack on the Greek Orthodox church of Prophet Elijah in Damascus, which killed believers, including young children, is a blow to freedom of faith, human dignity and the very core of European values. It was not an isolated incident. There have been several horrific executions of civilians. The inaction, tolerance and reward of the terrorist government with the lifting of sanctions led us to the attack. Unfortunately, when we warned we were extreme, but in the end it was the extremes who did not realize the dangers. It is a moral obligation for the victims to proceed with decisive measures, with the suspension of disbursement of funds until the protection of all religious and ethnic minorities is ensured. Europe cannot finance terrorism. If we do not act decisively, we will have failed not only as politicians but also as people. No appeal and no resolution will work unless it comes at a cost. It is only when the violation of rights has consequences that compliance begins.

Mr President, 51 years since that appalling day in 1974, when Turkey invaded Cyprus in violation of all sense of law and has been illegally occupying its territory ever since. 51 years since the serial war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Turkish barbaric invader on the island, such as ethnic cleansing, homicides, forcible eviction of population, missing persons, prisoners of war, enclaved, colonization, usurpation, torture, rape, desecration of religious and cultural heritage. I would remind you that all this has happened and some of it continues to happen not in a third country, but in a Member State of the European Union. And while the European Parliament had to do the obvious, i.e. a strong resolution condemning the Turkish invasion and illegal occupation, unfortunately it confines itself to a round of speeches, as if we were holding a literary memorial. Colleagues, we are not talking about a lost homeland, but about an unredeemed one that waits patiently for liberation, the refugees to return to their homes, and the relatives of the missing to ascertain the fate of their own people. I would like to express my satisfaction that at least my request for a debate has been adopted. But I must also express my regret that some have not risen to the occasion. So, instead of promoting, they undermined the condemnatory resolution against Turkey.

Mr President, 51 years since that appalling day in 1974, when Turkey invaded Cyprus in violation of all sense of law and has been illegally occupying its territory ever since. 51 years since the serial war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Turkish barbaric invader on the island, such as ethnic cleansing, homicides, forcible eviction of population, missing persons, prisoners of war, enclaved, colonization, usurpation, torture, rape, desecration of religious and cultural heritage. I would remind you that all this has happened and some of it continues to happen not in a third country, but in a Member State of the European Union. And while the European Parliament had to do the obvious, i.e. a strong resolution condemning the Turkish invasion and illegal occupation, unfortunately it confines itself to a round of speeches, as if we were holding a literary memorial. Colleagues, we are not talking about a lost homeland, but about an unredeemed one that waits patiently for liberation, the refugees to return to their homes, and the relatives of the missing to ascertain the fate of their own people. I would like to express my satisfaction that at least my request for a debate has been adopted. But I must also express my regret that some have not risen to the occasion. So, instead of promoting, they undermined the condemnatory resolution against Turkey.

Madam President, from the southernmost point of Hellenism, Cyprus, I must condemn the despicable Prespes Agreement that circumvented any notion of democracy, since it had no legitimacy from the Greek people. At the same time, I must denounce the references in the resolution to the Macedonian people, society and language, to denounce any attempt to create a pseudo-Macedonian national identity. Ladies and gentlemen, nations are not social constructs as Gellner said, but, as Herodotus said many centuries ago, they are determined by the homonym, the homolingual, the co-religionist and the homotrope. The usurpation of the Greek name and history, but also the usurpation of the Bulgarian language cannot lead to the parthenogenesis of a nation. Ladies and gentlemen, Macedonia has been, is and will be one and the same. In conclusion, I would like to address my French colleagues. How would you feel if a neighboring country usurped your history and language while calling Napoleon Bonaparte its own national hero and teaching him in schools? This is exactly what we Greeks live with Alexander the Great.

Madam President, once again we are discussing the new situation in the Middle East, as it has been following the terrorist attack by Hamas, which has brought about a counterattack on Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis and has escalated with the war between Iran and Israel. But I will be denouncing something very important. Although we have spent so many months with violence, war, dead, victims, civilians, unfortunately we still face the refusal to return the prisoners. They consciously choose to block any prospect of peace, even against the people they supposedly defend. Their plans, it seems, were different: to create a massive attack to bring at all costs total destruction to their enemy. These are lessons for the states of the European Union. Tolerance towards countries associated with terrorism cannot continue. Tolerance creates impunity. And impunity new violence and fertile ground for terrorists. Within all this, the strategic position of Cyprus as the southernmost European edge must also be understood. Whoever ignores its importance leaves Europe uncovered.

Mr President, the situation in the Middle East seems chaotic. Some may think that what is happening is far from us, but the missiles are visible to the naked eye from Europe's last border, Cyprus. But let's say the truth. What we are experiencing today began after the terrorist attack by Hamas. The action of Hamas was followed by Hezbollah and escalated with the refusal to release the hostages from the attack. Both acted with direct support from Iran and Turkey, which have been funding and arming terrorism in the Middle East for years. Let us understand that if terrorists prevail and all the countries that support them in the Middle East, if Israel is lost, Cyprus and – subsequently – Europe will follow. And what's left for us? The photos of Mr. Erdogan with the leaders of Hamas, which some here want to integrate into European defense planning. Let's finally figure out what you're going to do.