Speeches

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, on 20 July this year, we celebrated 50 years of Turkish occupation. On 15 November, next Friday, we mark 41 years since the proclamation of the pseudo-state – the illegal secessionist entity in Cyprus. It has been 41 years since Turkey tried to legitimize the circumvention of international law, human rights violations, war crimes, genocide, ethnic cleansing, forcible displacement of population, usurpation of property, degrading treatment of detainees, missing persons, mass executions, rapes, killings of civilians and children. Ladies and gentlemen, every day we stress the need to shield Europe from external enemies that are just around the corner. But the enemy has already invaded; It is within the gates. The paradox is that, with the use of European NATO weapons, Turkey has turned against its NATO allies and illegally occupies European territories of the Republic of Cyprus. We must understand that Europe will never be free as long as the occupation of Cyprus continues.

Madam President, foreign interference is an attempt to destroy national sovereignty and is often combined with hybrid attacks involving cyberwarfare, terrorism, psychological operations, propaganda and the instrumentalisation of migration. Unfortunately, one Member State of the European Union, Cyprus, is the victim of foreign interference and hybrid warfare waged against it by Turkey, on the one hand in violation of international law, sending illegal Turkish-occupied settlers to Cyprus, while on the other hand, it sends illegal immigrants by sea and occupied territories every day. The goal is the demographic alteration of the island and the transformation entirely into an Islamic state that leads to its strategic goal, the complete occupation of Cyprus. The need to strengthen the resilience of European security and the internal security of the European Union goes through Cyprus. Let us not delude ourselves. If we mobilize to save Cyprus, Europe will also be saved. Otherwise, if Cyprus falls, Europe will follow.

Madam President, the wrong, supposedly progressive, immigration policies have led to an increase in illegal immigration and have unquestionably led to an increase in terrorist attacks in Europe. Islamist attacks and constant incidents in Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, the Scandinavian countries, Greece and Cyprus prove that European citizens are no longer safe even in their own countries. A few days ago, in two cities of Cyprus, Limassol and Paphos, illegal immigrants were arrested for offences related to participation in a criminal organization and terrorism. It is now a matter of security but also of survival for all Europeans to implement a strict pan-European migration policy. Anyone who does not respect European hospitality should be refused entry into the Union. In order not to cry over ruins, the proposals of nationally-minded conservative forces on migration must be listened to, otherwise Europe will be lost.

Mr President, the peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan is welcome. But any peace effort must be equally respected. No one can ignore the crimes committed by Azerbaijan. The democratic world cannot tolerate its delinquent behaviour nor silence itself in the face of a country with a rich history of violations. What can we remember from recent events? The ethnic cleansing of the Armenian population in Nagorno-Karabakh and the nine-month imposition of a total blockade? That he continues to keep prisoners of war illegally despite international appeals? That it is destroying the cultural and religious heritage of the Armenians of the region, which is also a war crime? That it illegally occupies sovereign territory of Armenia, violating international law? Azerbaijani communication tricks through the organisation of COP 29 cannot wash away crimes. That is why high-level representatives should not be present. Enough of tolerance. It is time to put an end to those who do not respect international law and hold Azerbaijan accountable.

Madam President, we all speak of respect for the United Nations and condemn any attacks on staff. Let me remind you of the attack of the Turkish occupation army in Cyprus along with other Turkish Cypriots, recently, in 2023. They hit peacekeepers, threatened to be run over by trucks and cars, bulldozed United Nations cars, causing damage. In other words, actions that are unacceptable and constitute a serious crime under international law. The cause? They wanted to build a road in an area that did not belong to them, i.e. to expand the occupied territories under the pretext of supposedly humanitarian reasons; There are humanitarian reasons, however, for which they themselves are responsible for the illegal occupation of Cyprus. Eventually, everyone shut their mouths, the United Nations retreated and the illegality was implemented without any reaction or sanction. The Turks did their own thing and everyone "whistles indifferently" about Cyprus. Dear colleagues, the respect of peacekeepers is …

Mr President, we often emphasise that we want a stronger Europe. In this context, Mr Reynders, you said that we must ban products that do not comply with European directives to protect consumers and fight unfair competition. I agree with you. This will, I imagine, apply to all Member States of the Union, since consumer protection must apply to all European citizens. The creation of a framework against unfair competition must also apply to all European businesses. But we would like to inform you, Commissioner, that Cyprus and the Greeks of Cyprus are victims of unfair competition under European directives. We have been forced by the Green Line regulation to trade products that do not comply with European directives, that are illegally produced in our Turkish-occupied territories and we are forced to finance our occupiers. A stronger Europe is not a two-speed Europe. Therefore, it is imperative to repeal the unbalanced Green Line Regulation in Cyprus and close the legalisation barricades.

Mr President, the proposal to create a single European sky is an attempt to improve the safety, efficiency and environmental sustainability of air services, as has been mentioned. But how can we talk about security when we close our eyes to illegalities? I'll be more specific. The operation of the illegal airport of occupied Tymbou in Cyprus endangers flights and thousands of citizens every day, as there is a huge risk of air accidents. I wonder: Wouldn't you react if a few meters from Frankfurt airport, next to Paris airport, near Rome airport, Brussels airport, Madrid airport, Berlin airport, operated an illegal airport with its own rules? Oh, of course. So let us leave words and move on to actions, which are not coordination and communication with the occupying authorities – which would lead to the normalisation of illegality – but a ban on its operation, accompanied by very severe sanctions on airlines using the illegal airport.

Madam President, the increase in illegal immigrants in Europe, people who often want to enforce Sharia law, has consequently led to an increase in religious intolerance. Unquestionably, it also brought blind attacks in the name of Islam to many central European countries. Responsibilities, of course, exist. When you talk about religion, you're regressive. When you want to deport illegal immigrants, you're extreme and racist. But when you talk about open borders you are supposedly modern, and when you want to abolish religion, you are supposedly progressive. They are the same people who, when something is said about radical Islam, run with tears in their eyes to condemn. But when we recently saw Christianity mocked at the Olympic Games in Paris, they did not dare to mock a word. Ladies and gentlemen, I must mention two more facts: the systematic desecration of churches in occupied Cyprus and their conversion into stables or mosques, as well as the provocative conversion of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul into a mosque. The insult to the sanctuaries and venerables of Christianity must never be accepted in Europe.

Madam President, Commissioner, you have referred to the increase in drug trafficking, to this problem. This is why I will talk to you about an open wound in Europe. It is the regulation of the Green Line in Cyprus that has brought an increase in crime and an increase in drug trafficking. Unfortunately, with European tolerance we legitimise an illegality. Therefore, Mr Schinas, it is imperative to repeal this regulation immediately and close the roadblocks in Cyprus. Let us stop the paranoia that a European state wants to trade with its occupier, with an illegal separatist regime. No dealings with the pseudo-state.

Madam President, Mr Schinas, you have said that Europe's borders are not unattended. But I see that Europe's borders are pierced. It is time to allow Frontex to act without hindrance. What we need is a strict deterrent immigration policy and not a count of arrivals. Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Greece, Belgium, Bulgaria, Austria, Germany, almost all European countries have been overwhelmed by illegal immigrants. An illustrative example is my home country, Cyprus, where 1 in 10 citizens is an asylum seeker. Let us follow the example of Italy in Europe and set up accommodation centres in third countries. In addition, let us activate European embassies in third countries to lodge asylum applications there, and have them examined without anyone risking coming to Europe illegally. Let us send out the message that we will not allow Europe to be demographically altered and its population replaced. Every citizen in his country and every country in his people.

Mr President, housing is a fundamental human right, and homelessness is unequivocally one of the extreme forms of poverty. Moreover, at European level, there is a commitment by 2030 to eradicate homelessness. While we all declare ourselves ready to defend this right, in my own country, but also in other countries in Europe, such as Spain, it is quite the opposite. Banks are proceeding with no respect for the right to property, to divestments of first homes based on an erroneous divestment law, with funds acting like predatory hawks. With an erroneous law we put strategic defaulters in the same basket as people who demonstrably have financial problems, unable to repay their loans. This is why we are proposing to protect truly vulnerable groups and correctly categorise borrowers at European level. Let's say "no" to the banks. Let us protect the right of every human being to the first home.

Madam President, Mr Orban, I will not be sterile. I can recognise the policies that add value to the European path, such as defending the institution of the family, addressing demographic challenges, defending farmers, but also zero tolerance for illegal immigration. After all, in the struggle for a Europe of Nations there is no one left. The Europe we dream of is a union of free European peoples based on national and religious identity, a space of culture and solidarity, which will become an important geopolitical centre, as Mrs Meloni rightly says. However, I must denounce actions that unfortunately undermine European values, such as your presence at the congress of Turkish-born states on the side of the occupation leader in Cyprus Ersin Tatar. Patriotism is the defense of European nations and international law, not illegal separatist regimes. Put national interests first, not economic interests. To support countries such as Cyprus, which is the victim of a barbaric invasion and the victim of illegal occupation, settlements and dozens of other war crimes. In closing, Mrs. von der Leyen, you spoke again about everyone. However, you have again provocatively forgotten about the illegal Turkish occupation of Cyprus. And us, who need you.

Madam President, if our land is destroyed, human existence will also be lost. That is why we must face challenges and disasters together as one fist. Together we can do anything. This calls for Europe-wide financial support for those affected, the creation of a strong pan-European fire brigade and cooperation between Member States, as well as a tightening of penalties in cases of malicious fires. Finally, we must offer our congratulations to the unsung heroes, firefighters, nurses, police officers, soldiers, pilots and volunteers, who boldly and selflessly run to the call of their homeland. As a person who has participated many times voluntarily in firefighting, I am calling for the volunteers to be used productively at last by the state services for better coordination.

We should not have considered the reintroduction of internal border controls. We had to look at the misguided immigration policy of so many years, so that we got to the present day, so that the whole of Europe was flooded with illegal immigrants. To examine the attitude of all those who could not understand the problem, but with dangerous obsession characterized with the worst adjectives anyone who dared to talk about the problem. At the end of the day, they finally understood the problem. The narrative of open borders collapses like a paper tower under the demand of citizens calling for a Europe that respects and preserves state sovereignty and national identities. Mrs Johansson, from Italy and Malta to the Nordic countries, from Spain and Portugal to Greece and Cyprus, European citizens are sounding the alarm, shouting that they cannot take it anymore. They call for immediate measures to prevent the demographic alteration of the nations of Europe. Let us finally implement a strict immigration policy and send a clear message that no one will enter Europe illegally.

Your Honor. A lot has been said in the comments of colleagues, but things are simpler. Israel is under attack from radical Islam. Fanatic Islamists strike indiscriminately, ignoring all human value. The Western world must be united in the face of the Islamic threat. Tolerance towards terrorism and those who want to sow fear must be zero. We should block the way for extremist Islamic approaches. At the same time, however, at the time of the sad black anniversary, I must express my shame that an accession Member State, instead of supporting Western culture, respecting the principles and values advocated by the European Union, is threatening Israel with retaliation. Turkey's president, Neo-Sultan Erdoğan, provokes by saying that Israel must pay the price by supporting radical Islam. It confirms that Turkey has no place in Europe.

As a citizen of a state that has been through the same – and worse – as Ukraine, I welcome the European Parliament’s support to the people of Ukraine in the face of the illegal Russian invasion. International law cannot be challenged, nor can national sovereignty be disrespected. However, as a matter of principle, I chose to abstain in order to underline the selective sensitivity. Let me be clearer: the Republic of Cyprus cannot be invited to contribute financially and militarily to Ukraine in order to counter illegal external actions, while its European territories are illegally occupied by the Turkish army. As we see in Ukraine the forcible expulsion of population, missing persons, illegal occupation, settlement, homicides, deprivation of liberty and the right to property, the same is happening in Cyprus. Therefore, I expect from Europe the same support and reaction towards Turkey as the one adopted against Russia. Otherwise it is hypocrisy. When we talk about Ukraine, everyone should keep in mind and think that a member of the European Union, Cyprus, is being held hostage by a state with a criminal record – Turkey.

Mr President, we are all talking about Europe's energy and energy autonomy, while at the same time there are untapped rich deposits of natural gas in a part of the European Exclusive Economic Zone, in the EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus. They remain untapped because they are not allowed by a pirate state, an acceding state, Turkey. How long will the European Union tolerate these behaviours that conflict with international law and the law of the sea? How long will Europe caress Turkey without imposing severe sanctions? The European Union must finally act decisively and support the creation of the EastMed pipeline, which will connect the Eastern Mediterranean with the rest of Europe and give the necessary breath to millions of European citizens.

Madam President, these days may be a celebration for the European Union, but not for us, the Greeks of Cyprus. In three days, the black anniversary of 20 July 1974 dawns, when Turkey – committing dozens of war crimes – invaded and since then illegally occupies the European territories of the Republic of Cyprus. Fifty years later, thousands of Cypriots are still experiencing the tragic consequences of the Turkish atrocity: Refugees, enclaved, missing. At the dawn of 20 July remember that some European citizens – some MEPs – can move around Europe’s cities, villages and streets freely, without restrictions, and can work where they want and work where they want but not in their own homeland. That's why we ask for the obvious: the right to have a democratic European state free from racial segregation, support for Cyprus – in line with Ukraine, liberation from the occupation and the right to live free in our homeland like all European citizens.