Brussels, 11/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 10 July during the presentation by the Cypriot Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers of its programme for the second half of 2012, MEPs in the European Parliament foreign affairs committee called on the Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis to use Cyprus's relationship with Russia, Greece and the Arab world to help improve the international situation.
Maria Eleni Koppa (S&D, Greece) said that the Republic of Cyprus could use its good relations in the Middle East and Syria and exert its weight in this connection. Her colleague Ulrike Lunacek (Greens/EFA, Austria) underlined Nicosia's “special relationship” with Moscow and asked whether Cyprus could play a “special role as mediator” in the Syrian question. Kozakou-Marcoullis emphasised that although Cyprus had a very old friendship with Russia, as well as enjoying bilateral relations with the country, “we think that the EU, High Representative and the United Nations have already convinced the Russian Federation of participating in these discussions” on Syria. She added that she would see whether her country could provide a bridge and subsequently ensure that agreements on Syria are implemented. “On behalf of the Cypriot Presidency, I am committed to being as useful as possible in going, together with or instead of the High Representative, to the region or to participate in any kind of initiative that could be launched in the region”, added the minister.
Charles Tannock (ECR, United Kingdom) would also like Cyprus to play a role of go-between, given its relations with Greece, on the question of Macedonia because such a bridging role could be a way of reaching an agreement. Attempts by the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to join the EU have been blocked over the question of the name of Macedonia but Cyprus could attempt to develop initial diplomatic contact with the country. Tannock would also like Nicosia to use its relations with Israel and its traditional friendship with Palestine and the Arab world to help put peace discussions back on track. His colleague Kyriakos Mavronikolas (S&D, Cyprus) said that Cyprus should play a more important role in the Arab world and with Israel and help achieve concrete results during its presidency.
Enlargement, a top priority
During the presentation of the Cypriot presidency's priorities, the minister stressed that enlargement was, “a top priority of our presidency”. She said that, “as the Presidency, we would like all bilateral contacts to be carried out in the perspective of enlargement”. The minister emphasised her determination to push forward accession negotiations with Montenegro, build on the progress achieved with Serbia in terms of accession negotiations and the country's greater openness and progress made with Bosnia and Herzegovina, where progress has been made in certain areas. She would like every effort to be made regarding the accession of Iceland and for subtle solutions to be found on sensitive issues.
The minister also said that despite Turkey's attitude to Cyprus - Turkey has not recognised Cyprus and is boycotting its presidency - “we continue to think that it is necessary to accompany the country in these accession negotiations and our approach will be objective and pragmatic”. She asserted that if Turkey changes in its attitude, Cyprus is prepared to work on opening other chapters. The minister was supported by MEPs, who denounced Turkey's occupation of Cyprus. Willy Meyer (GUE, Spain) said that “Turkey should end the occupation and its colonisation policy and thus put an end to the conflict and allow reunification” in Cyprus. Eleni Theocharous (EPP, Cyprus) described the Turkish attitude as “unacceptable” and added that “Cyprus is suffering from this brutal occupation”. Graham Watson (ALDE, United Kingdom) was concerned about the division of the island, which undermined the European and international credibility of the Presidency.
Kozakou-Marcoullis also made clear her support for efforts made by the High Representative and the EEAS, “particularly with regard to the southern dimension in the context of neighbourhood policy… and its objectives in the east”. Cyprus will support Catherine Ashton in improving relations with the EU's strategic partners and Arab neighbours and Israel. She asserted that “we want to contribute towards this because we want to enhance the European position in the region”. She also said that she wanted the EU to play a unifying role. (CG/transl./fl)