Several MEPs condemned Turkey’s policy on the Cyprus issue, criticized the European Union’ stance, and called for a solution and the reunification of the island, during a discussion on Wednesday night, at European Parliament plenary, in Brussels, about the illegal unilateral declaration of the secessionist entity created by Turkey in Cyprus on November 15,1983, and the ongoing Turkish military occupation of the island’s northern third.
Marie Bjerre, the Danish Minister for European Affairs opened the discussion on behalf of the EU Council, stressing that “Turkey must commit and contribute seriously to a peaceful solution.” She reiterated the EU’s “firm and fundamental position” for a comprehensive settlement “within the framework of the UN Security Council resolutions,” while welcoming “the steps taken by UN Secretary-General António Guterres towards new negotiations.”
“The two Cypriot leaders met twice under the auspices of the UN,” she noted, adding that “Turkey must normalize its relations with the Republic of Cyprus and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all EU member states.” She also said that “Turkey’s unilateral actions against UN resolutions are unacceptable and must be immediately reversed.”
Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, described the de facto division of Cyprus as a “serious concern for the European Union,” with “negative consequences not only for Cypriots but for Europe as a whole.”
“We recognize only the Republic of Cyprus,” Fitto emphasized, stressing that “the solution for Cyprus is the reunification of the island.” He referred to the EU’s aid program for the Turkish Cypriot community, amounting to €760 million since 2006, aimed at “economic development, reducing isolation, and building trust. This does not mean recognition, but an effort to create the conditions for a lasting and permanent settlement,” he clarified.
Cypriot MEPs also stressed the need for a Cyprus settlement. Loucas Fourlas (EPP – DISY) stressed that “we are not talking just about an illegal declaration. We are talking about 51 years of Turkish occupation.” He also wondered what the EU is doing. “Instead of imposing sanctions, it distributes roles and rewards. Instead of drawing red lines, it bows to Ankara’s blackmail.”
“In a country that occupies European territory by force, you sell it weapons? You make it a security partner? This is called moral bankruptcy, this is called complicity,” he concluded.
Michalis Hadjipantela (EPP – DISY) stressed that “the Republic of Cyprus does not need sympathy or good wishes, but the immediate restoration of justice,” while condemning “with absolute clarity the illegal and unilateral declaration of the occupying, secessionist entity and the ongoing illegal military occupation by Turkey.” He added that “the recent provocative statements from the Turkish side, which downgrade the invasion to a legal and peaceful intervention, constitute an insult to the memory and an attempt to distort history,” noting that he was “denied the right to grow up in the city where he was born.”
Costas Mavrides (S&D – DIKO) stated that “the secessionist entity in occupied Cyprus is a creation of Turkey, which maintains, funds, and controls it with its occupying troops.” The MEP asked “how many crimes must Turkey commit before we impose measures” adding that “justice will prevail one day. But on that day, we will remember not only the crimes but also the partners who remained silent.”
Giorgos Georgiou (The Left – AKEL) emphasized that “in Cyprus, there are not two states or two peoples, but people suffering under the Turkish occupation army. We demand the abolition of the occupation and the status quo,” he said, adding that “the pseudo-state will be abolished only through a solution, not through empty rhetoric.”
Geadis Geadi (ECR – ELAM) stressed that “no declaration of so-called independence, no fake flag or so-called government can legitimize the occupation,” and asked, “how is it possible for Europe to impose sanctions on Russia, but Turkey, instead of sanctions, receives European funding and participation in defense agreements. This is not a policy of solidarity, but a policy of hypocrisy,” he added.
Fidias Panagiotou (Non-attached) said: “Does the European Union care about the Cyprus issue? Of course not. Instead of talking about the occupation of Cyprus, we discuss Ukraine. Instead of imposing sanctions on Turkey, we do it to Russia,” he said, noting that “our compass is broken. Let’s fix it.”
French MEP Sandro Gozi (Renew Europe) emphasized that “there is only one legitimate state on the island: the Republic of Cyprus,” and called on Turkey to “respect international law and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions” and to “withdraw its forces from the island.” He added that “Turkey remains deaf, especially to the European Court of Human Rights,” which has characterized the regime in the occupied territories as a “puppet regime,” something that “we cannot accept within the EU.” He reiterated that “the Republic of Cyprus joined the EU in 2004 with all of its territory” and that “today we stand by the EU citizens of Cyprus, and we will always do so in the future.”
Greek MEP Aphroditi Latinopoulou (Patriots) spoke of “half a century filled with tears, anger, and pain for every Greek, for every Cypriot. Turkey invaded, killed, raped, looted, and uprooted thousands of Greek Cypriots from their homes. And what are we doing here? Just words, words, words,” she said, adding that “the Turkish invasion of Cyprus is no different from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. However, the response is different,” accusing the EU of “a policy of hypocrisy.”
Lithuanian Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis (S&D) stated that the EU must show active action to resolve the Cyprus issue in accordance with international law and UN decisions, and noted that “so far, we only hear words, with minimal active action” and that the EU must show the same determination it demonstrates in addressing the Russian aggression in Ukraine in order to resolve the Cyprus issue, calling “for the immediate activation of all efforts,” as subsequently did Spanish MEP Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D). He stressed that “the Cyprus issue is not just a concern for Cypriots, but for all Europeans,” speaking from his experience as a rapporteur on the issue of missing persons during his previous terms.
Finnish MEP, Sebastian Tikkunen (ECR), condemned recent provocations by Turkey in the buffer zone. “Without any justification, they tried to expel Greek Cypriot farmers from their land while they were peacefully cultivating their fields. The UN peacekeepers had to intervene twice before the Turkish soldiers got the message that they had to withdraw. Such behavior is completely unacceptable, and Turkey must be held accountable. We cannot remain silent against the aggressor. Turkish soldiers have no business in the buffer zone, nor on the island. President Erdoğan must know that his provocations will not change this fact. Cyprus will never be part of Turkey, neither today nor ever,” he stressed.
Dutch MEP, Reinier van Lanschot (Volt – Greens/EFA), stated that “Europe will never be truly united if Cyprus remains divided,” referring to a “small window of opportunity with the impressive victory of Erhurman” after years of stagnation. “The Turkish Cypriots have sent a strong message: they want peace, unity, and a common future in a federal Cyprus. Europe hears you and stands by you; all external actors, especially Turkey, must recognize and respect the will of the Cypriot people. An opportunity must be given to democracy and reconciliation,” he stressed, adding that Volt works “on both sides of this division for a common European dream. Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders must begin to build the future that all Cypriots deserve.”
Czech MEP, Katerina Konečna (Non-attached), emphasized that “member states must prioritize the Cyprus issue in their diplomatic contacts with Turkey.”
In conclusion, Executive Vice-President Fitto reiterated that “we need a solution for the people of Cyprus, a solution that will be to their benefit and to our relations with Turkey. The resolution process must move forward,” he concluded.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
