In a strongly worded resolution adopted almost unanimously, the European Parliament on Thursday condemned the detention of five Greek Cypriot citizens in the north, calling the arrests “illegal and politically motivated,” describing them as acts of abduction and hostage-taking.
The emergency resolution, passed with 597 votes in favour and five abstentions, called on the Commission and the European External Action Service to take all necessary measures, including considering punitive measures.
Christodoulides welcomes the support
President Nikos Christodoulides applauded the development, and welcomed the strong level of support the motion received. In statements to journalists, he said he exchanged messages with the President of the European Parliament, "who told me that this is one of the very few cases where a resolution has received such overwhelming backing.”
Christodoulides praised those who spearheaded the initiative, emphasising the importance of unified messaging on the international stage.
“I want to congratulate all those who took the initiative. It is important that we send this message of common goals and shared objectives at the international level. It would certainly be preferable if we could achieve the same level of consensus domestically, but especially on the international front, it carries real weight.”
'Cannot go back to their homes'
The five Greek Cypriots - Antonis Louka, Andreas Kyprianou, Annie Kyprianou, Niki Gregoriou, and Gregoris Gregoriou - were arrested in July this year after visiting their family properties in Galatia village, in the north.
Three of them were conditionally released on Wednesday, however “they remain in the occupied territory and cannot go back to their homes,” MEPs specified, according to a European Parliament press release.
“The Turkish military occupation regime is trying, through abduction and hostage-taking, to intensify intimidation,” the resolution said.
MEPs added the intimidation tactics target and influence people “who attempt to visit their ancestral properties or appeal to the Immovable Property Commission (IPC).” The IPC is tasked with dealing with claims of properties in the north.
‘Mockery of EU rule of law’
MEPs said the EU has “a moral and legal obligation to support the Republic of Cyprus and its citizens, who are also EU citizens”. They called on the Commission and the European External Action Service to take all necessary measures, including considering punitive measures.
President of the European People’s Party (EPP) Manfred Webber condemned in a post on X “the abduction and imprisonment of Greek Cypriots by the Turkish occupying regime.
This premeditated act aims to intimidate crossings-violating the European Court of Human Rights, and making a mockery of EU rule of law. We demand the immediate release of all. #StandWithCyprus.”
Disy MEP and member of the EPP Michalis Hadjipantelas said Europe could not “remain neutral when European citizens are illegally arrested on European soil. Cypriots need action against Turkey,” not more empty words.
Loukas Fourlas, also a Disy MEP and EPP member described the detention as an act of piracy and kidnapping.
“Every illegal arrest is a blow to democracy. Every act of retaliation is an insult to the EU. Every tolerance towards Turkey is complicity.”
European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection Michael McGrath said during Wednesday’s debate that “the European Union cannot tolerate the violation of its citizens’ rights. The detention of these individuals is unacceptable and must end immediately.”
