Cyprus – M. Schoinas: ‘Neighbors must become Europe’

The era of geopolitical innocence for Europe is finally over. “Europe will build stability and bring peace and security to our region,” said European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schoinas.

Speaking from the podium of the Democratic Alarm conference held in Nicosia, Mr. Schoinas referred to the actions of the European institutions, which, as he said, will create a ring of security and peace around Europe.

“The neighbors have in their hands a historic decision to become part of the security, modernization and development of the region. The SE Mediterranean fits anyone who wants to enter this umbrella of protection. But I assure you that we will not do “No discount on our criteria or our dowry. Neighbors must become Europe. Europe will never be like them,” he said.

Referring to the EU policies pursued, international agreements and cooperation, as well as developments around the world, the Vice-President of the Commission pointed out that the greatest achievement of the single European edifice is the set of anthropocentric policies that make up the European way of life. A Europe that protects and a Europe that opens roads and opportunities.

“We lived in conditions that not even the most talented screenwriter could capture,” he said, noting the EU’s work over the past two years on the pandemic, immigration, and the war in Ukraine. “All this threatened Europe, shook it, but did not bring it down. We proved to be much more resilient, much more cohesive, broke decades of taboos and achieved things that, although often not mentioned in public debate, are rejected by all, the catastrophists. to talk about what did not happen but about what happened, we achieved things without precedent “. He also referred to the recent actions in the enclosed area of ​​Varosia.

Regarding the issue of illegal immigration, especially for Cyprus, Mr. Schoinas pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot leadership has great responsibilities for the immigration crisis on the island. And he will have to take them on at some point, he said. “And if it is not willing to take them on, we will find a way to do it because some people are getting rich in the occupied areas by the immigrants and we can not allow that.” He added: “Greece and Cyprus will walk with Europe in solidarity on our side, always in the spirit of law and order. Citizens demand responsible leadership, action, determination and efficiency. We are experiencing historical, geopolitical, tectonic changes.

Cyprus’s accession to the EU is one of the greatest political and diplomatic successes of Hellenism. The country’s entry into a united Europe as a whole has shown that, in essence, our ultimate goal can only be the reunification of the island through a viable solution. “This is our most convincing, strongest agenda against the illegal occupation”, he said, emphasizing his vision, as he characterized it, for Ledras Street as a cosmopolitan boulevard, European and open to all the citizens of the island.

Regarding the war in Ukraine, Mr. Schoinas stated that “today, in these difficult times we are going through, we are once again opening the shield of Europe to countries such as Ukraine and Moldova, whose devotion and faith in This is the spontaneous tendency of the peoples of Europe who see their destiny reflected in the model of the society we stand for, in our principles and values. way of life as a model to make their lives full of self-evident things and conquests, not prerequisites and demands “. He even referred to those who are silent, as he said the tactics of the war, which he spoke about during the ND conference a while ago. He did not even hesitate to speak in Cypriot, saying – whoever has the mustache, becomes numb.

Finally, he spoke about his love for Cyprus, which, as he said, has deep roots, as well as the Cypriots who hold positions and positions in the EU, emphasizing that he supports the candidacy of DISY president Averof Neophytou, who – noted – will lead the island to the European path it deserves.

Source: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ