MEPs Condemn Turkey's Illegal Actions in Cyprus: Call for Immediate Release of Greek Cypriots and Strong EU Measures

Strategic Insights -

European Members of Parliament (MEPs) from Cyprus and Greece expressed strong condemnation of Turkey's illegal actions in the occupied territories of Cyprus during a debate in the European Parliament Plenary Session in Strasbourg. The MEPs called for the immediate release of five Greek Cypriots, who were illegally detained by the Turkish regime, and demanded that the EU take strong measures against Turkey.

Key Takeaways:

  • MEPs from Cyprus and Greece condemned Turkey's actions as "piracy," "kidnapping," and "retaliation" against the legitimate Republic of Cyprus.
  • European People's Party and DISI MEP Loukas Fourlas stated that "this is an act of piracy, a kidnapping, as retaliation against the legitimate Republic of Cyprus that arrested usurpers."
  • Socialist-Democrat and DIKO MEP Costas Mavrides emphasized that the European Union cannot remain neutral in the face of illegal arrests of European citizens on European soil.
  • The MEPs also criticized the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, for not mentioning Cyprus in her earlier speech to the European Parliament.
  • Independent MEP from Cyprus, Phidias Panayiotou, described the detention of the five Greek Cypriots as a "shameful injustice" and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all five.
  • European Conservatives and Reformists and ELAM MEP, Geadis Geadi, condemned the abductions of Greek Cypriots by the occupying authorities, emphasizing that indifference is what feeds the Turkish regime.
  • The MEPs also highlighted the personal connection to Cyprus and the pain of displacement, with SYRIZA MEP Nikos Pappas sharing his family's experience of being forced to abandon their home during the Turkish invasion.

Statistics:

  • Five Greek Cypriots were illegally detained by the Turkish regime in the occupied territories of Cyprus.
  • The detainees were accused of "illegal entry" and "espionage," but credible evidence was lacking.
  • The EU Parliament condemned Turkey's actions and called for the immediate release of the Greek Cypriots.
  • The Speaker of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, mentioned the SAFE architecture, which involves an association of countries that share intelligence and coordinate military operations.

Sources:

  • European Parliament Plenary Session transcript, Wednesday, [date not provided], Strasbourg.
  • European People's Party and DISI MEP Loukas Fourlas' statement.
  • Socialist-Democrat and DIKO MEP Costas Mavrides' speech.
  • Independent MEP from Cyprus, Phidias Panayiotou, statement.
  • European Conservatives and Reformists and ELAM MEP, Geadis Geadi, intervention.
  • SYRIZA MEP Nikos Pappas' speech.
  • Patriots for Europe MEP Aphrodite Latinopoulou's statement.