Arriving for the first day of the European Council meeting, in Brussels, with the Commission’s proposal to start accession negotiations with Ukraine, the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) including 50 billion euros for the country, as well as the situation in Gaza in today’s agenda, President Christodoulides spoke of a “difficult European Council with several issues on which there are differing opinions between the member states.”
In regard to the proposal for Ukraine’s accession, the President noted that the start of negotiations does not necessarily mean accession, while he particularly emphasised the need for “substantial discussion and for reaching conclusions on developments in the Middle East” if the EU wants to play a role in the area.
Reports on Erdoğan’s invitation
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Asked to comment on reports by the Cypriot daily “Alithia” about an invitation he received from the Turkish President for a meeting in Turkey, and the statements that followed in Cyprus, President Christodoulides said that “especially in the current situation we are in, the handling of the Cypriot issue requires seriousness” and needs to stay away from publicity stunts and other purposes.
“Of course, if I get an invitation from Mr. Erdoğan, I will pay him a visit,” said Christodoulides, adding that “if there is a possibility of a meeting with Mr. Erdoğan, of course I will pursue it and I have to tell you that I have conveyed my readiness to him but also through third parties.”
He added, however, that “even if there was a chance for this meeting to take place, certainly all that is coming to light does not help in any way.”
Ukraine and the Multiannual Financial Framework
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The President of the Republic stated during his introductory statement that the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework is expected to dominate the discussions and expressed hope that there will be a conclusion.
Regarding Cyprus, he continued, “it is important that there is more money on the issue of immigration, especially for the member states that are on the front line.”
In relation to the debate on enlargement, President Christodoulides noted that “it is a political tool” which “we must use properly.”
“We hope today to have decisions in the direction of starting accession negotiations, as are the Commission’s recommendations” he went on to say, pointing out that “starting accession negotiations does not mean accession” but “a long process that helps candidate countries get closer to European Union.”
Responding to a question about the debate on EU reform and on ending the need for unanimity for important decisions, Christodoulides noted that certainly “the approach of some member states, in this particular case the approach of Hungary, is something that broadly also affects the debate on ending unanimity.”
He connected the issue of unanimity with the discussion about the Middle East, where there are different opinions, but said that “we should sit down to discuss and find a common approach.”
Middle East
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During his initial statements, the President of the Republic also expressed hope “to have a meaningful discussion and to have conclusions regarding developments in the Middle East.”
“There is a war in our neighbourhood” and the in the EU neighbourhood, he noted, adding that “if today we don’t discuss this issue substantially, thoroughly, and if there are no conclusions issued after today’s Council, then we are sending a very wrong message as a European Union.” He added that this was also the subject of his intervention at the meeting of the European People’s Party, which took place on Thursday morning before the session.
Underlining that he understands the importance of Ukraine and the review of the Multiannual Financial Framework, he reiterated that “if there is no meaningful discussion on the Middle East, the wrong messages are being sent “also in relation to the geopolitical role” we want to play.
Asked about the different approach taken by EU member states in the vote at the UN General Assembly, the President of the Republic noted that “there are different opinions” but said that if “we cannot at least agree on the dramatic humanitarian situation”, then “as a European Union we will have failed.”
Replying to questions from Arab media on the subject of the Middle East, he reiterated his intention to raise the need for the EU to agree on conclusions as regards the ”dire humanitarian situation” in Gaza.
”Cyprus, as the closest member state of the European Union in the region, is a country that has excellent relations with all countries of the region. We are trying to play a substantial role, especially on the humanitarian aspect, and that is why we propose the establishment of a maritime humanitarian corridor in order to send humanitarian assistance that we already have in Cyprus to the people in Gaza,” he added.
