Cyprus' disagreement with Turkey's participation in summits of European countries with third countries on developments in Ukraine was referred to by the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, upon his arrival at the extraordinary European Council, which will focus on the future of European defense and the role that the EU wants to play, given the developments in relation to the ongoing Russian attack on Ukraine.
Among other things, the President referred to the need for unity among EU member states, and that "summits with the participation of only some member states of the European Union do not contribute to the unity that we must show" given the disagreements already expressed by some countries, while he also raised the issue of Turkey's participation in some of these summits.
As he emphasized, "Turkey is the country that constantly violates European sanctions against the Russian Federation" and "exploits European sanctions against Russia to its own advantage."
Responding to a question from CNA about how Cyprus can benefit from the Commission's proposal for fiscal relaxations for defense, Mr. Christodoulides also mentioned that the percentage of Cyprus' debt to GDP is moving in the right direction, adding, at the same time, that Cyprus has begun preparatory work to utilize the Commission's proposals.
He stressed, however, that the programs and money from the EU "should come to strengthen the European defense industry and not the defense industry of third countries."
Regarding the Cyprus issue, the President of the Republic stated that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will be present at the European Council on March 20 after the informal Geneva meeting, "so that the messages from the European Union can be sent, both regarding the form of a solution to the Cyprus issue, which cannot deviate from the agreed framework, and also the need to respect the principles and values of the European Union," as he stated.
In his statements, President Christodoulides expressed satisfaction that "today the issue of the defense and security of the European Union, the strengthening of the defense of the member states of the European Union, will be substantially discussed," while he welcomed the content of the position of the President of the Commission on strengthening European defense, "a content with which we agree," as he said.
"Let me remind you that the Republic of Cyprus, along with other member states, including Greece and France, have long supported the need as a European Union to strengthen the deterrent capabilities of the European Union, and I hope that today the way will be opened for us to take specific decisions," he added.
Regarding the discussion on developments in Ukraine, President Christodoulides stated that "the end of the war, respect for the sovereignty, independence, and integrity of Ukraine are the main demands."
"As the European Union, we must be protagonists in this effort, I repeat, to end the war," as "Ukraine borders Europe," he stressed.
In this context, the President of the Republic noted that "all these summits with the participation of only some member states of the European Union do not contribute to the unity that we must show" as the EU, pointing out that "we already have some states within the European Union that are reacting."
"Think about the message of the lack of necessary unity that is given if these summits are held with the participation of only some member states," he continued.
"I cannot fail to note the fact that in such meetings, Turkey, for example, is invited, which is the country that constantly violates European sanctions against the Russian Federation," he pointed out, emphasizing that Turkey "exploits European sanctions against Russia to its own advantage."
He stressed that as the EU "we owe it to the unity of the European Union, which is the strongest characteristic we have, to preserve it and demonstrate it in practice."
When asked by CNA how the fact that member states want a dialogue with Turkey on the issue can be managed, the President of the Republic noted that the EU "including all 27 of its member states, must have a role" and reiterated that Turkey is a country that has not been in line with EU sanctions during this time.
"The European Union sanctions were effective and this is not the assessment of Cyprus or Greece. This is the assessment that we have before us of all the member states, based on the relevant report of the European Union," he noted.
He also questioned how "a country that illegally occupies European territory can play any role in matters of security and guarantees."
The President of the Republic noted that, among other things, it will be discussed whether the potential guarantees being discussed "are through the United Nations", noting that this dimension is important.
He underlined that the EU has 27 member states, stressing that "the vote and consent of the 27 member states is required."
Noting that there are already divisions within the EU, he pointed out the phenomenon of "creating new groups and excluding member states, and even some states that border the Russian Federation."
"The message we are sending is a message that we are a divided, a divided Europe and this certainly does not help in any way," he stressed.
Asked to say how Cyprus can benefit from the Commission's proposal for fiscal relaxations given that its defense spending already constitutes a significant percentage of GDP, President Christodoulides recalled that the country "currently has one of the strongest economies in the European Union."
"In relation specifically to public debt, we are at 69%, and we will achieve the target of 60% by 2026, so this does not concern exclusively the Republic of Cyprus," he noted.
"But I can certainly tell you that internally we have begun the preparatory work to utilize, as the Republic of Cyprus, the opportunities created by the proposals of the President of the European Commission and we will certainly participate," he pointed out.
As he said, "we have a very promising Cypriot defense industry with about 30 companies, companies that employ young people in Cyprus."
"We have decided to strengthen this Cypriot defense industry, which I repeat is very promising," he added.
He noted, however, that "the programs and all the money that will be given by the European Union should be aimed at strengthening the European defense industry and not the defense industry of third countries."
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Responding to a question about the upcoming informal meeting on the Cyprus issue in Geneva, the President of the Republic noted that this morning, in the context of the pre-meeting of the European People's Party, he spoke about the meeting with the President of the European Commission.
"I have spoken with the President of the European Council, who informed me of the discussion he had with the Turkish President. In fact, he will also have a telephone conversation with Mr. Guterres before the meeting in Geneva," he noted.
The President of the Republic stated that after Geneva, the UN Secretary-General will also be present at the European Council on March 20, "so that the messages from the European Union can be sent, both regarding the form of solution to the Cyprus problem, which cannot deviate from the agreed framework, but also the need to respect the principles and values of the European Union," as he stated.
