MEP Costas Mavridis (DIKO – S&D) intervened, on behalf of his political group, as one of the authors of the resolution, in the debate on the "Detention of European citizens in the occupied territories of Cyprus" in the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
In his speech, Mr. Mavridis initially stated the following:
"This resolution concerns five European citizens, Cypriot nationals, who, while visiting their properties in the occupied area of Cyprus, were illegally arrested and subjected to inhumane treatment by the occupation regime established and controlled by Turkey."
He then thanked his colleagues for their contribution to the drafting of this strong European Parliament resolution and in particular for their support for two specific proposals, which were included in the final text and which he quoted:
“First, in condemning the deliberate intimidation tactics employed by the occupation regime, such as this illegal detention (of European citizens), which aims to end the process of criminal proceedings by the Republic of Cyprus against the usurpers of occupied Greek Cypriot properties. We express our full support to the Republic of Cyprus in implementing the rule of law of the EU. Secondly, we call on the European Commission and the European External Action Service to take all necessary measures, including sanctions against Turkey, in order to secure their release.”
Finally, Mr. Mavridis referred to the annual State of the Union address of the President of the European Commission that same morning:
“This morning, the President of the Commission spoke about European Defence and Security, but without mentioning anything about Turkey and the occupation of European territory in Cyprus. The credibility of EU Defence and Security is being tested in Cyprus, and the President of the Commission has failed in the eyes of many European citizens, including me.”
Following the interventions of the MEPs, the Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Mr McGrath, spoke on behalf of the Commission. Mr K. Mavridis took the floor and, after thanking the Commissioner for his support for the release of the five European citizens, he pointed out his dissatisfaction because the competent High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Vice-President of the European Commission, Ms Kallas, has been absent from the issue concerning Turkey's illegalities against Cyprus since taking office. "I leave the reason for her absence to each European citizen to answer," Mr Mavridis said sharply.
MEP Press Office
