George Karousos, chair of the House Foreign and European Affairs Committee, has warned that insufficient attention is being paid to the southern dimension of European security. He was speaking on 22 October 2026 at the second meeting of the chairs of the Foreign Affairs Committees of EU member states, hosted by the Senate of the Czech Republic. He called for sanctions on countries that violate international law.
Commitment to international law
According to a statement by the House of Representatives, Karousos said the international environment is marked by growing uncertainty and complex threats. In that context, he said, the EU must remain committed to its fundamental values and principles, international law, the United Nations Charter and human rights.
Threats from the East and the South
Karousos said the EU must recognise that threats to European security come not only from the East but also from the South.
He said conflicts and instability in the Middle East and the Mediterranean directly affect the stability of the EU and the security of its southern and eastern external borders. According to Karousos, this creates challenges related to maritime security, energy security and migration.
Turkish occupation of Cyprus
Referring to threats from the South, Karousos recalled that international law and Cyprus’s sovereignty are being violated as a result of the Turkish invasion and the continuing occupation, which has lasted for 52 years.
Turkish-Libyan memorandum
Karousos also expressed concern that the Libyan House of Representatives has approved the Turkish-Libyan “memorandum of understanding” on the delimitation of maritime jurisdictions in the Mediterranean. He described the memorandum as illegal.
He said the memorandum is incompatible with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and disregards the sovereign rights of countries in the region.
Karousos stressed that such developments require meaningful European action and tangible solidarity with the affected member states. He said this should be achieved through the adoption of measures and the imposition of sanctions on countries that violate international law.
Call for stronger engagement
Karousos underlined the need for stronger European engagement in the southern neighbourhood, following on from relevant action taken during the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.
He added that only a united, effective and resilient EU, acting collectively and remaining true to its founding principles, can play a credible and meaningful role on the international stage.
Source: CNA
