The European Parliament’s political groups will on Tuesday afternoon open negotiations on a resolution condemning the detention of five Greek Cypriots in the Turkish-occupied north, MEP Costas Mavrides has confirmed.
Speaking to Cypriot reporters in Strasbourg, the Socialist and Democrat MEP said each of the six groups has prepared its own draft text and that negotiators will now attempt to merge them into a common position. “My group has appointed me as lead negotiator for the Socialists and Democrats,” he said, adding that his goal is to defend both the rights of European citizens and the interests of the Republic of Cyprus.
Mavrides noted that most of the facts are accurately reflected in the various drafts, but he stressed that two points must be included in the final resolution without compromise.
“First, the occupation regime is a subordinate administration to Turkey, without any legal recognition, and it is Turkey that bears full legal responsibility for the unlawful detention of the five European citizens,” he said.
“Second, this detention amounts to an act of blackmail by the occupation authorities, under Ankara’s direction, aimed at halting ongoing court proceedings in the Republic of Cyprus over the usurpation of Greek Cypriot properties,” he added.
CNA
