Speeches

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.

Mr President, as both the ECR and the National People's Front we give priority to strengthening rural and mountainous areas. For us, ensuring a sustainable future for rural areas – at risk due to an ageing population, urbanisation, abandonment of young people, lack of services and limited employment and social inclusion opportunities – is a cornerstone of our policy. Unquestionably, rural areas are the cradle of agricultural and food production, while preserving an irreplaceable cultural and local heritage. To ensure their long-term sustainability, rural areas need to have equal access to healthcare, connectivity, affordable housing, water, education, appropriate infrastructure and other essential services. The Commission and the Member States have a duty to provide adequate funding, to understand that they have to support families to ensure their active participation in rural development and economic activities.

Madam President, the war and the suffering it causes are among the worst crises that humanity can experience. Dead, wounded, missing, uprooted, starving, suffering, civilian casualties and children without a future are the words that describe the destruction it brings. All these feelings, as Greeks of Cyprus, have been experienced and continue to be experienced to this day, as a result of the Turkish invasion and the crimes that Turkey has caused on our island. Unfortunately, next to the European borders, "a breath" from Cyprus, we are experiencing yet another war that began on October 7th, after the horrific attack of Turkey's associates, Hamas terrorists against civilians, and escalated because to date they refuse to return civilians. There is a solution to put an immediate end to this war: Let all prisoners be released. There is a solution to prevent civilians from experiencing the atrocity of war again: as the European Union, to prevent terrorism and those countries that support and arm it, such as Turkey.

Madam President, it is with some pleasure that we are finally – on our own initiative – discussing the condemnation of Tayyip Erdoğan’s illegal visit to the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus. Following the Turkish threats of a new invasion, the Turkish President sent — during his illegal visit to the Occupied Territories — messages consolidating the Turkish occupation of the island, illegally inaugurating projects on our stolen land – a huge challenge and disrespect. And that is not enough; The Turkish Foreign Ministry has the audacity, in a statement regarding the report voted today, to characterize the European Union as an institution that gives ground to terrorist organizations and anti-Turkish voices. Yes, we are proud to be a strong anti-Turkish voice in the European Parliament, defending the dignity of Cyprus and the European Union itself. Therefore, we stress that anyone who asks for dignity and defends the law cannot shake hands with Erdoğan and treat Turkey as an ally or partner.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, you have said that Turkey is not in conflict with the West. Let me remind you that he is threatening war with Greece, which is part of the West. It illegally occupies European territories of the Republic of Cyprus. But you haven't said a word about it. Is this the European perspective of Turkey that you want to join this House?

Mr President, we have before us the new report on Turkey, in which - after decisive interventions - we managed to secure a much stricter text than the original one. However, the references in the report presenting Turkey as a partner and strategic ally are of great concern to us. Is Turkey a strategic partner and ally? Turkey, which has identified its name with terrorism and the violation of any notion of justice? Is Turkey threatening Cyprus and Greece with war, undermining the European Union as a whole? Ladies and gentlemen, because Turkey does not understand good manners, its treatment by the European Union must change drastically. The European Union must implement strict sanctions, end all European support funds, block any European defence agreement, veto the sale of European arms to Turkey, and halt its accession path. When Turkey is transformed from a criminal into a state, then perhaps a positive approach by the European Parliament towards it can be justified.

Madam President, despite the resumption of negotiations, unfortunately no progress has been achieved on the Cyprus issue. I wonder how we expect progress to be achieved when we are discussing on the wrong basis of talks. Instead of demanding an end to the occupation, we settle for the illegality and war crimes of the Turkish invasion. Why is the Bizonal Bicommunal Federation anything other than converting the illegal de facto partition into a legal de jure partition of the island? This is in fact ignoring the will of the people who overwhelmingly rejected it in the 2004 referendum. Ladies and gentlemen, the resolution of ethnic divisions is contrary both to the UN Charter and to European principles, which are contrary to apartheid-type racist regimes. While in the case of Ukraine we rightly consider the continuation of the Russian presence in the occupied territory in the post-war period to be outrageous, in Cyprus why do we accept that Turkey retains a role and a say in the occupied territories in the post-solution era? Dear colleagues, Cyprus is not divided, it is semi-occupied. This is why we do not seek reunification, but strive for liberation and return to the land of our ancestors.

Mr President, more than a year after Azerbaijan attacked Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenians continue to be far from their ancestral homes. The wounds of the destruction of their cultural and religious heritage remain intact. 23 Armenians remain illegally detained, enduring ill-treatment and humiliation. Unfortunately, Aliyev's regime not only fails to respect international law and human fundamental rights but continues to illegally occupy sovereign territory of Armenia. The European Union must safeguard democratic values as they stem from ancient Greece. It is called upon to act decisively against Azerbaijan and Turkey, which are nothing but criminal states. Tolerance is enough for those who committed ethnic cleansing against the Armenians, Pontic Greeks, Asia Minor and Cyprus.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to table the following amendment: "Reiterates its call on the Republic of Turkey, a NATO member state and candidate for membership in the European Union, to abide by international law, recognise the Republic of Cyprus and immediately end the occupation and withdraw its troops from the island." Please accept the deposit and support the amendment. The defence of Europe concerns not only Ukraine but also the European territories of the Republic of Cyprus. The invader is not only Russia but also Turkey. Above all political and ideological differences, the unity of the European Parliament vis-à-vis states violating international law is imperative. Therefore, we must send as a body a clear message to a state under illegal occupation, the Republic of Cyprus.

Madam President, when we warned, some people provocatively ignored us. When we sounded the alarm, some applauded the new dictatorial regime in Syria and we reached today to discuss the future of the country, while in Syria there are human sacrifices and massacres of Christians and Alawites. As we watch the horrific videos that have flooded the internet, we remember that many people rushed to meet and shake hands with the new dictatorial government in Syria, giving it legitimacy. But the same regime in three months showed its true face, committing crimes against humanity against innocent civilians, women, the elderly and children. Everyone must finally understand that if Syria falls entirely under the rule of jihadists, it will become a global hub of terrorism. The monster of Islamism and the Turkey that supports it cannot be trusted. Whether they shave their beards or wear a suit, nothing can hide the crime that distinguishes them.

Mr President, I have said before that the attempt at a common European defence is a good step, as a result of geopolitical developments. It is imperative to develop a fully capable European pillar of NATO, which will be able to act autonomously when needed and turn declarations of solidarity between European states from words to actions. But in discussing the future of European defence, I cannot omit that we saw Turkey invited to the meeting in London on March 2 and Sultan Erdoğan boldly declare that Europe's new defence architecture cannot fail to include Turkey. Ladies and gentlemen, the answer must be clear. Not only must Turkey stay away from the security of Europe, when all it offers to Cyprus, Greece, Armenia, Israel, are threats and insecurity, but it is imperative to put sanctions and a veto on the sale of European military weapons, while the occupation continues in Cyprus, while it continues to threaten Greece with war.

Madam President, in recent years we have witnessed a growing migration crisis that threatens European cohesion. The multicultural model and the policies of open borders are now proven to have failed. Together they have plunged all of Europe and millions of Europeans living in fear, since no one can guarantee their safety. European capitals are closing their borders, tightening controls, because, when we warned, the supposedly progressive forces blamed us with the worst terms, rather than understanding the problem. With return rates at only 20%, in my home country, Cyprus, having reached almost 10% of asylum seekers, it is imperative that a comprehensive, strict, deterrent migration policy is immediately established by the whole of Europe. It is imperative that deportations begin immediately, that benefits are cut, that we send a message that no one will enter Europe illegally.

Madam President, you have rightly said in your speech that we need to build a common defence. For the umpteenth time we heard a lot about Ukraine, but not a word again about Cyprus. The security problem of the European Union is not only Russia but also Turkey. Ladies and gentlemen, some corner of Europe, Cyprus, one of the 27 Member States of the Union, for those who have forgotten, is under illegal occupation. There can be no two-pronged occupation forces. It is a challenge for Turkey to be present at the London meeting and to try to be included in European defence as Europe's security guarantor. A country that illegally occupies the northern part of Cyprus threatens NATO countries with war and supports terrorists in the Middle East. Turkey not only has no place in Europe but also no place in European defence and security. Freedom in Cyprus, as we call "freedom in Ukraine"!

Mr President, I would like to table an oral amendment with the addition of a new explanatory note as follows: Taking into account recent events, Turkey has a history of cases involving political imprisonment and ill-treatment of people, such as the case of missing persons in Cyprus. Dear colleagues, I ask for the support of all political forces on such an important humanitarian issue as the missing persons in Cyprus. Several of them are missing after being transferred to Turkey, with the Turkish state refusing to cooperate without a shred of respect for the rule of law for fifty years. I only ask you to consider the magnitude of the problem. At least three of your six Cypriot MEP colleagues sitting next to you have relatives who are missing. By analogy, it is like saying 360 of the 720 MEPs in this House. That is why we must send a strong message of unity to those who do not respect human rights. Message of solidarity and support to the struggle of the relatives of the missing persons of Cyprus.

Mr President, I am surprised by today's debate. Is there really anyone in this House who expects Turkey to respect the rule of law and human rights at home when it does not respect them abroad? Turkey, to remind you, was helping the Azerbaijanis in the massacres in Nagorno-Karabakh. Turkey is behind radical Islamist groups and terrorists in suits in Syria. Turkey threatens Israel with war by declaring that it will reach Jerusalem. Turkey is also threatening war with Greece, committing countless violations in the Aegean. At the same time, it does not respect the European Union, since it does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus. It continues to illegally occupy its territory, instrumentalizes migration to demographically alter the island, and refuses to cooperate on the humanitarian issue of the missing. Let's be honest. Turkey, a state with a criminal record that has learned to thrive in chaos and barbarism, has no place in Europe.

Mr President, Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. Unfortunately, the horrors of war do not discriminate. Thousands missing after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, hundreds missing and after the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. On the blacklist is Cyprus, which for 50 years has been experiencing the consequences of the Turkish invasion and the ongoing illegal occupation. Turkish barbarism has left 1,619 missing on a small island like Cyprus. Civilians, women, elders and young children are included in this long list of abductees. Turkey is not cooperating. He is deaf to international appeals, scorns the ruling of the European Court of Justice, ignores UN Resolution 34/50 and instead organisedly removes bones from mass graves. And why should it do so, when high-ranking officials of the European Union, instead of placing it before its responsibilities with the most severe sanctions, finance it by calling it a strategic partner? We owe a debt to the tragic figures, the mothers of the missing who left without knowing the fate of their own man. Only then will we be able to look into the eyes of the then little girls who today became mothers, grandmothers and are still searching for what happened to their own father.