President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will raise a clause at Thursday’s European Council to exclude Turkey from Ukraine financing for defence needs.
Cyprus and Greece want to ensure money allocated to Ukraine for defence needs comes primarily from the European Defence Industry or, if necessary, from third countries that do not pose a threat to the security of member states.
Christodoulides said discussions at the European Council will be dominated by economic support for Ukraine, which is necessary for the country to cope with the challenges of the Russian invasion and occupation.
“We want to ensure something discussed at the European People’s Party: any economic aid from the European Union, especially for matters of Ukraine’s defence and security, cannot be spent in countries that have European territory under occupation or threaten EU member states,” the president said.
Mitsotakis noted that Greece will seek to ensure that money Ukraine receives and spends on armaments takes into account specific national priorities of member states.
Christodoulides welcomed the Danish Presidency conclusions on enlargement, saying it is important that the Council welcomes the appointment of Johannes Hahn, personal envoy of the European Commission President, and looks forward to cooperation with him.
“It was a goal we set from the first moment of assuming governance. It was a goal some in Cyprus considered utopian,” Christodoulides said. “I am pleased because not only was the appointment achieved, not only because the Council for the first time refers to the need for cooperation with Mr Hahn, but because the European Union, after many efforts, is attempting to play a leading role in the major effort to restart talks.”
On Turkey, the president said the conclusions contain important references to the solution basis for the Cyprus issue and UN resolutions, especially regarding the Varosha enclosed area. “It gives us a basis to further promote the need for resolving the enclosed area issue,” he said.
Christodoulides welcomed the Commission President’s letter to European Council members on migration, which contained two specific references to Cyprus—progress in becoming a full Schengen member and significant moves on returns.
“Our country has increased returns by over 60%, whilst simultaneously reducing inflows by more than 80%,” he said. “Many member states have asked us to share the model we use in Cyprus, precisely because of the positive results.”
Thursday’s European Council is the last before Cyprus assumes the EU Presidency. Christodoulides said Cyprus is fully ready with three specific goals.
“To strengthen the EU’s strategic autonomy. All issues to be discussed today at the European Council we will inherit during the Cyprus Presidency and aim precisely at strengthening strategic autonomy,” he said.
“Second, we will bring the EU substantially closer to countries of the region, the broader Middle East. Third, we will provide answers to major challenges European citizens face daily, such as housing, energy cost and everything affecting their daily lives.”
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