The European Parliament will never accept a two-state solution in Cyprus, President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola stressed here on Tuesday, noting that there is no plan B for Cyprus other than a solution within the framework of the UN and that the Cyprus problem is not only a Cyprus issue but a European one and that ‘Europe will never be complete until Cyprus is whole’.
EP President was received on Tuesday at the House of Representatives, by House of Representatives President Annita Demetriou, in the context of her official two-day visit to Cyprus. The two had a tete-a-tete meeting and then made joint statements to the Press.
Demetriou said that the visit of Metsola, takes on significant importance as it comes at a particularly critical moment for Cyprus, when the major challenge of migration, not just a Cypriot but a wider European issue, is intensifying and noted that the migratory flows that Cyprus experiences are disproportionate to its size as ‘boats arrive daily from Lebanon with Syrian m
igrants’.
The House President said that she emphasized to Metsola ‘the urgent need for the EU to re-examine the special status that applies to Syrian refugees, and to contribute directly with tangible solutions to alleviate the problem.’
‘Cyprus has exceeded its capabilities a long time ago and cannot withstand these rates of migratory flows any longer. It is in a difficult position, and seeks solidarity and immediate assistance from its partners,’ she explained, noting that they discussed specific initiatives towards this direction and urged for clear and immediate decisions as soon as possible.
Demetriou also said that she proposed to Metsola a meeting of the Presidents of Parliaments of EU member states facing a particular problem with migration, in order to seek immediate solutions.
Among other issues that dominated their discussion as Demetriou added, was the Cyprus problem. ‘We asked once more for the international community and our European partners to assist constructively, to exert pressure on Tu
rkey in order to find common ground for the resumption of talks on the basis of the agreed framework which is bizonal bicommunal federation with political equality’ the House Speaker stressed, underlining that ‘now is the appropriate moment, as there seems to be a window of opportunity through the efforts of the personal envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations.’
For her part Roberta Metsola said that she is very pleased to be back in Cyprus, recalling that she last visited Nicosia in October last year on the occasion of Cyprus’ Independence Day.
Noting that she is in Cyprus as a part of a visit to member states to meet directly with EU citizens ahead of 2024 elections, she said that she is here in order to speak with Cypriots and listen to their expectations. ‘The EU institutions are sometimes viewed as distant, bureaucratic machinery. MEPs and I as President have done what we can do to burst through the Brussels bubble and bring Europe closer, including by strengthening ties with national parl
iaments,” she said thanking Demetriou for her specific role in this regard.
EP President noted that she visits Cyprus also ‘to offer a particular message: voting in the European elections in June 2024 is critical as Cypriots will have the opportunity to choose who they want to represent them at the EU level for the next five years.’
She noted that participation will be critical to the success of the European project recalling that today 2nd of April, is the deadline for new voters to register in the European elections for the 9 of June’ and expressing hope that her presence here in Cyprus will motivate those who still have not registered to do so today.
Metsola expressed gratitude to the Cypriot institutions for their proactive role in racing the awareness of people on the importance of voting, indicating that every vote matters and that in the following weeks all the institutions should push to increase the participation of Cypriots to the European elections.
“Cyprus has been a member of the EU now 20 ye
ars, 20 great years of transformative effect which has been felt in this island’ she said adding that ‘by voting in the EU elections Cypriots will reaffirm their belief in the European project and underline your country’s role in the Euro-Mediterranean structure.’
Roberta Metsola also said that they discussed the issue of Cyprus’s reunification. And stressed that she will say it again and as many times as required, ‘Europe will never be complete until Cyprus is whole’ and that the people of Cyprus are not alone in their wish to see their island reunified under a UN plan.
‘Europe is a project of hope, of unity and of confidence and we support you in this. Dialogue, diplomacy and negotiation are required to establish a long-term solution that will reunite Cyprus and its people and this is not only a Cyprus issue this is a European one. Trust must be the way forward, and the European Parliament will remain by your side for as long as needed,’ she underlined.
Finally on migration, she recalled that in 2019 cit
izens placed migration at the very top of their concerns and asked the European Union to deliver. As she noted, from a legislative perspective they are getting closer to that as next week in Brussels the EP will vote on a set of legislations that places at the heart external border protection solidarity between the member states, especially those that are disproportionally affected by migration flows and asylum in terms of making sure that rules are streamlined across the EU.
‘It is a set of migration pieces of legislation that also focus on the fact that it cannot be human traffickers and smugglers who decide who enters the EU,’ she explained, indicating that it was a very difficult negotiation to achieve and that she hopes for a successful vote in the EP.
Asked how important it is for the EU that Cyprus issue negotiations and a Cyprus settlement are fully compatible with acquis communautaire and how the EU and EP can contribute towards this, EP President said that the EU remains fully committed to a settl
ement of the Cyprus problem within the framework of the UN and in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions which need to be respected.
‘Trust not violence must be the way forward, the EU has always supported UN efforts to reach a negotiated settlement for the Cyprus problem and it is only natural that we support Holguin’s mission to find common ground in order for the two sides to return to the negotiating table and reach a lasting settlement,’ she emphasised.
She also noted that she met earlier on Tuesday with young people, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, who really asked for the European Parliament to be involved. ‘Elected members of the European Parliament from Cyprus have been talking about this issue for 20 years, a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus question would boost security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean’ she stressed, noting that this is absolutely important, especially in the current geopolitical context, as it can foster cooperation which in turn can lay the foundat
ions for lasting peace and prosperity for all the region.
She also stressed that Cyprus can rely on the EP. ‘We stand by Cyprus, there is no plan B concerning the goal of the efforts for a solution. EP will never accept a two-state solution for Cyprus and let me remind that Cyprus acceded as a whole to the EU on 1st of May 2004,’ she stated.
Asked if she is concerned about the rise of far-right parties across Europe and how the EU deals with this phenomenon Metsola recalled that one of the reasons she visits Cyprus and the member states is to counter extremist intolerant propaganda.
‘We push back with our alternative that is pro-European and which is based on hope and not destruction, that seeks to work across the political eyes in order to deliver for citizens across the European Union including in Cyprus,” she said.
EP President explained that during the next five years there will be decisions that will be asked on the MPEs, on alignment, on digital, on social issues, on migration, indicating that only
the constructive pro-European majority can deliver on that.
‘It is the only answer to citizens’ concerns, that means running a campaign that is fact-based, that encounters extremist narrative and that seeks to burst through the bubble of Brussels and Strasburg in local towns, villages and cities’ she added.
She also noted that in countries such as Cyprus where there will be local elections that will take place, this will also matter not only in increasing the turnout but also in making sure that there is a campaign based on a proper discussion, a discussion that seeks to include rather than to exclude.
Source: Cyprus News Agency