The possible complications in efforts to solve the Cyprus problem after the attempted coup in Turkey, and the anxiety of the Republic of Cyprus for what the Turkish occupation army in the northern part of the island, comprising 43,000 soldiers, might have done, was the focus of Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides` intervention at the EU Foreigh Affairs Council, held on Monday in Brussels.
During his intervention, the Minister condemned the coup and stressed the importance of respecting the constitutional rule of law and the constitutional institutions, indicating that a key factor in the failure of the coup was the response of the people who defended democracy.
For this reason, Kasoulides said, the EU must remain firm in the decisions taken to protect democracy, freedom of expression and of the press, insisting, for example, to change the anti-terrorism law in Turkey. It is under the pretext of that specific law that hundreds of journalists are imprisoned, the Foreign Minister stressed.
Referring to the evening of the coup, Kasoulides said that Cyprus experienced a great distress since there are 43,000 Turkish soldiers in Cyprus` occupied areas, and for hours there was no Turkish government and no leadership of the Turkish Armed Forces General Staff.
Everybody’s wish was that the coup soldiers would return to their barracks. It is also our wish that the Turkish soldiers in Cyprus would return to their camps in Turkey, said the Foreign Minister.
In light of the Turkish army`s tendency to make coups, imagine, he said, to finally find a solution to the Cyprus problem only to be overthrown by the Turkish army, Kasoulides stated and agreed with the statement of the Greek Foreign Minister that a future solution must not entail the presence of Turkish troops in Cyprus.
Apart from the situation in Turkey, after the attempted coup in the country, the 28 Foreign Ministers Council discussed about the recent terrorist attack in France. Moreover, the Foreign Ministers also exchanged views on the World EU Security Strategy and attended a working breakfast with the Foreign Minister of the United States John Kerry, during which they took stock of issues of mutual interest.
In his speech during the debate on counter-terrorism, the Foreign Minister expressed the full support and solidarity of Cyprus with the French people. Attacks in Brussels, Istanbul and Nice represent escalation of terrorist attacks faced by our societies, the Foreign Minister said, and stressed that the EU must use all the necessary tools at its disposal to address this threat. We need to continue and strengthen our efforts to combat terrorist threats, Kasoulides said.
He stressed that the loss of many lives, including those of women and children, as a result of terrorist attacks, cannot impose changes to our lifestyle or deprive us of the freedoms we enjoy. They constitute a further reason to persevere and redouble our efforts to completely defeat the Islamic state and all other terrorist organizations, Kasoulides concluded.
On the sidelines of the FAC operations, the Foreign Minister met with is Irish counterpart Charlie Flanagan. During their meeting they discussed the implications of Brexit for both countries and they decided coordinated actions during the negotiations of the UK for eaving the EU.
After the completion of the Foreign Affairs Council, the annual Ministerial Meeting EU – Gulf Cooperation Councils was held, during which views on a number of regional issues were exchanged, including developments in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon, as well as the cooperation to combat terrorism. Kasoulides had a bilateral meeting with the Foreign Minister of Bahrain, Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifah, during which they discussed issues of bilateral interest.
Foreign Minister describes Cyprus’ reaction to the attempted coup in Turkey
