The six Cypriot Members of the European Parliament have talked to the Cyprus News Agency about the challenges of the new EP as well as about the priorities they will promote during their five- year term.
They all agree that one of the main challenges of the EP is to restore the confidence of the European citizens to the European institutions through policies that will solve people`s daily problems.
Re-elected MEP Eleni Theocharous (Group of the European People`s Party, Democratic Rally right wing party) said that the new EP will have a series of challenges such as to restore confidence of citizens, to examine the Troika`s actions as to whether they are binding or not, the banking system, unemployment and the implementation of a European health system.
As regards her priorities, she said that the primary will be the protection of the Republic of Cyprus, especially during a period, when Turkey seeks to dissolve it. And Turkey must pay if she continues this policy”. She also said that it is important for Cyprus to absorb EU funds that would contribute to growth and employment. Theocharous said she strongly believes in the promotion of the policy for the exploitation of hydrocarbon reserves in Cyprus` Exclusive Economic Zone. “This issue touches on issues of security, economy, maritime transport and foreign policy and can not be viewed outside the Turkish threats,” she noted.
MEP Christos Stylianides (Group of the European People`s Party, Democratic Rally right wing party) told CNA that combating unemployment, enhancing growth and restoring the citizens` confidence in the EU institutions, and the consolidation of the banking system are among the top challenges of the new EP. Other issues concern the relations with Russia, the trade agreements with the US, Japan etc. Referring to the EU energy security, he said that the role of Cypriot MEPs will be an important one, due to the discovery of hydrocarbon reserves in Cyprus` Exclusive Economic Zone.
Stylianides pointed out that Cyprus` political, economic and social interests are fully in line with the EU, which must make strategic decisions to maintain its cohesion as a union of states and peoples and at the same time its world leading role.
Re-elected MEP Takis Hadjigeorgiou (Confederal Group of the European United Left – Nordic Green Left – AKEL left -wing party) told CNA that the biggest challenge of the new EP is to lead the EU to a new path, focusing on the citizens and their needs, with policies leading to growth and the creation of new jobs, to address the `tragic situation` in some of the countries of the South.
His priorities will focus on the Cyprus problem, Hadjigeorgiou told CNA, adding that through his participation in the EP Committee on Foreign Affairs he will continue his efforts to support the ongoing negotiations for the Cyprus problem. One other priority will be to encourage the participation of EU citizens in forming a better Europe with more solidarity among its member states.
MEP Neoklis Sylikiotis (Confederal Group of the European United Left – Nordic Green Left – AKEL left -wing party) told CNA that the challenge of the new EP is to place the EU back to the path of growth and social cohesion, solidarity and democracy.
Among his priorities as MEP are issues concerning employment, social policy, industry, research and energy. Particularly as regards energy resources, Sylikiotis told CNA that energy is a good that should be enjoyed by all citizens, through the fair practice of their management by the state, adding that he will focus his efforts on that. As regards the Cyprus issue, Sylikiotis said that he will work to support all those actions aiming at reunifying Cyprus and its people.
MEP Costas Mavrides (Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, DIKO Democratic Party) told CNA that the new EP` challenge is the rise of eurosceptics. Citizens must regain their trust to the EU, he said, adding that this can be achieved through the solution of the many problems faced in the continent with more and not less Europe. Other priorities include the conclusion of the banking union, the promotion of employment and investment and the combating of poverty and social exclusion.
Mavrides said that his priority would be to end the EU policy of double standards as regards the continuous illegal occupation of Cyprus by Turkey and the unfair haircut on deposits in Cypriot banks in March 2013. “We are not second-class Europeans that is why we demand the respect of the fundamental human rights in Cyprus and the fulfilment of Turkey`s European obligations towards Cyprus.
In his statements to CNA, Demetris Papadakis (Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, EDEK Social Democrats Movement) said that the main challenge of the new EP is to restore the confidence of the people of Europe to the EU and protect the EU from eurosceptics and from European policies which push citizens away from the EU. We need a more progressive Europe, he said, adding that this can be achieved through growth and the creation of new jobs.
Papadakis placed emphasis on the Cyprus issue, saying that during his term of office at the European Parliament he will do his utmost so that the EU has a substantive involvement in the efforts to reach a solution, which, as he stressed, must be in line with the European acquis communautaire.
