European Parliament member Giorgos Georgiou stated that NATO has caused many problems in various countries since its establishment, and that the Cyprus problem is a product of NATO.
Indicating that it is premature to discuss Cyprus’s entry into NATO, Georgiou recalled that there is an effort by the UN Secretary-General to restart negotiations aimed at resolving the Cyprus issue.
In a recent interview with Georgiou, we discussed the representation of Turkish Cypriots in light of the 2024 European Parliament elections. The conversation also covered ongoing discussions about Cyprus’s potential NATO membership, recent developments concerning the Cyprus issue, and the evolving dynamics of Turkey-Europe relations.
Georgiou talked about the current initiatives, the support given to the Committee of Missing Persons, and the problems faced by children born from mixed marriages. He also noted that the difficulties faced by Turkish Cypriots in opening bank accounts in the South of the island and participating in European projects were on their agenda. Georgiou also emphasized that all the items in the proposal package presented to the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides should be implemented as soon as possible.
QUESTION: In the last elections, no Turkish Cypriot candidate was able to secure a seat in the parliament. As a member of parliament from AKEL, will you have initiatives regarding the rights and representation of Turkish Cypriots?
The 2024 elections took place during a difficult period in both Cyprus and Europe, marked by the rise of the far-right. As in 2019, AKEL nominated a Turkish Cypriot candidate in these elections as well. On the night the election results were announced, I was very sad despite being re-elected. There was a decline in AKEL’s votes, and while it was represented by two members, this number has dropped to one.
In the European Parliament, we worked very closely with Niyazi Kızılyürek for 5 years and achieved very good cooperation. Niyazi’s not being re-elected upset me.
I want to assure the Turkish Cypriots, with whom we share the same homeland, that I will try to visit every part of Cyprus and meet with the Cypriots as much as I can. We started this in Famagusta and I will visit the other regions and gather the opinions of those living there.
I assure our Turkish Cypriot citizens that as a Member of the European Parliament and also a member of AKEL, I will continue to fight at the European level for the legal and legitimate rights of Turkish Cypriots. In fact, I expressed this to our Turkish Cypriot friends when we met in the north of the island.
I would also like to mention that we have ensured the allocation of 4 million Euros as financial support to the Committee of Missing Persons, which investigates the urgency of the missing persons. We believe that this financial support will contribute to the resolution of such a humanitarian issue.
Cypriot Turks have rights as EU citizens, and we will continue our efforts to ensure that they fully benefit from these rights. In addition, as you know, there are some problems experienced by children born from mixed marriages. We will work on this issue as well as the problems faced by Turkish Cypriots in opening bank accounts in the South of the island, and additionally, on the participation of our Turkish Cypriot citizens in various EU programs.
A proposal package was presented to Mr. Christodoulidis by AKEL. It is known that the content of this proposal package includes steps towards the Turkish Cypriots. We learn that some of these have been implemented, but there is no progress on others. We demand that these proposals of ours be implemented urgently.
In addition, I am in contact with the organized structures of the Turkish Cypriots and will bring their demands to the European Commission level as well. However, in order for Turkish Cypriots to benefit 100% from all the rights of the EU, the Cyprus issue needs to be resolved.
QUESTION: There are discussions about Cyprus’s NATO membership. What are your views on this matter?
Since NATO’s founding, its history and role have been well established. NATO has caused numerous issues in various countries, and the Cyprus problem is one of its legacies.
The three countries that hold significant responsibility for the creation of the Cyprus issue and have been guarantors since 1960 are also NATO members. Moreover, discussing the prospect of NATO membership at this time seems quite untimely. Currently, there is an effort led by the UN Secretary-General to restart negotiations aimed at resolving the Cyprus problem. Issues related to security have already been addressed within the framework proposed by Guterres.
This raises the question: why is the discussion of NATO membership being initiated under today’s circumstances? Given that Turkey is clearly expected to veto this proposal, why bring it up at all? As we know, obtaining approval from all five permanent members of the UN Security Council is necessary for NATO membership. Neither Russia nor China will accept Cyprus’s entry into NATO. Therefore, do we want the UN Security Council members, whom we seek assistance from in resolving the Cyprus issue, to stand with us or against us?
Cyprus should pursue a multidimensional foreign policy and maintain good relations with all major world powers, including the United States. Indeed, Mr. Hristodoulidis has previously stated multiple times that the arena in which we should operate for resolving the Cyprus issue is not NATO, but the European Union.
I do not want to believe that he expresses a desire for a solution while not genuinely meaning it. Currently, the only political force in Cyprus advocating for NATO membership is the Democratic Rally Party. Even the parties supporting the government do not claim they want Cyprus to join NATO; rather, they oppose it. In fact, the Foreign Minister, Kombos, has stated that this discussion is both invalid and unnecessary, asserting that it should not even be entertained.
Mr. Hristodoulidis should focus his efforts on reviving negotiations to resolve the Cyprus issue. Instead of making statements to appease the U.S. or NATO allies in Europe, he should concentrate all his efforts on the goal of finding a solution.
QUESTION: Can you discuss the key issues related to Cypriot citizens currently being addressed in the European Parliament, as well as topics of interest to you?
The primary issue that concerns us and will continue to do so is the Cyprus problem. Recently, there have been intense discussions on this matter, particularly regarding the development of EU-Turkey relations.
As someone involved in the EU-Turkey Joint Committee, I recently conveyed this to Turkish members of parliament during our meeting in Strasbourg:
“We are not opposed to strengthening Turkey’s relations with the European Union and to Turkey’s full membership in the EU. However, Turkey also needs to take certain steps. It must contribute to the resolution of the Cyprus issue.”
Of course, aside from the Cyprus problem, there are other serious issues we are addressing concerning Cyprus. These include the ongoing wars in Europe and the quest for peace in our region. The significant economic crisis facing European economies. The rising costs of essential consumer goods. The housing issue, including high rents and the escalating costs of homeownership. Climate crisis and the preservation of nature. Meeting individuals’ needs for medication and medical care. All of these issues are relevant not only to EU citizens but also to Cypriots. As the European Left group and AKEL, we are working towards finding solutions to these matters.
QUESTION: Considering the geological position of Cyprus, which is in close proximity to the Middle East, what discussions are taking place in the European Parliament regarding migration and refugees?
Unfortunately, the European Union and certain EU member states bear responsibility for the occurrence of this problem. As you know, some European countries desired to instigate the Arab Spring and export democracy to them. As a result of these actions, there was a massive influx of migration towards Europe.
Today, under the intense pressure from the far-right, the issue of refugees and migration is regrettably not being addressed in an ethical and humanitarian manner. Some third countries are being labeled as safe zones, an example being Turkey, where efforts are made to keep the refugees and migrants there.
They are building walls at borders and closing them off. This leaves southern European countries such as Cyprus, Greece, Italy, and Spain confronted with these challenges. Sadly, due to the current events in our region, the problems stemming from Palestine, Lebanon, and now Syria are likely to worsen.
The new Asylum and Migration Pact, which the European Union has approved, is an unacceptable agreement. We demand the cancellation of this pact. Migrants and refugees should be distributed among various countries, with this distribution determined by the populations and economic capacities of those nations.
Migration and refugee issues have existed for many years and will remain a reality in the coming years. Problems cannot be solved by sinking the boats that people board at sea or by erecting barbed wire at borders. International law is applicable in this matter, and respect for international law is essential.
If wars and the severe exploitation conditions presented by various European countries are eliminated, the reasons for people’s migration would also disappear, effectively halting the flow of migration.
QUESTION: Given the current climate, what steps do you believe the European Union should take to pave the way for a peace on the island?
The European Union views Turkey as a very important ally and partner. For many reasons, Europe needs Turkey; commercially, economically, in energy, in military, and geopolitically.
I am certain that Turkey has demands from the EU, and it is likely to receive those demands. Among them are the establishment of flight connections, high-level political dialogues, visa issuance for Turkish citizens, and the strengthening of the Customs Union Agreement between the EU and Turkey.
All of Turkey’s demands should be met and accepted. What we seek from the European Union is for it to respond positively to Turkey’s requests while also urging Turkey to contribute to the resolution of the Cyprus issue.
If the EU wishes, it can play an effective role in resolving the Cyprus problem. Unfortunately, some EU countries, including powerful EU member states, prioritize their own interests above principles.
At the same time, Mr. Hristodoulidis must demonstrate in practice and in tangible ways that he genuinely desires a resolution to the Cyprus problem.
The European Union was involved during the latest stages of the Cyprus problem’s resolution efforts in both 2004 and 2017, and its members know very well why and how those negotiations collapsed. In this context, they are well aware of the responsibilities of Turkey, Tatar, Anastasiadis, and Hristodoulidis. It is not enough for the European Union to simply want the resolution of the Cyprus problem; we must also demonstrate in practical, tangible ways that we desire it as well.
Voice Cyprus News-2024
