Cypriot MEPs accuse Turkey of hybrid attacks during European Parliament debate

Strasbourg, France. Cypriot members of the European Parliament Costas Mavrides of Diko and Geadis Geadi of Elam on Tuesday accused Turkey of carrying out “hybrid attacks” against Cyprus during a plenary debate on alleged Russian hybrid attacks against other EU member states.

Mavrides calls for defence clause to be operational

Mavrides said hybrid attacks against EU member states include cyberattacks, sabotage of critical infrastructure and undersea cables, drone incursions, and the instrumentalisation of migration flows.

He described Russian hybrid attacks as “a primary source of real threat”, but said similar attacks had for years been carried out by what he called the “neo-Ottoman Erdogan regime” against member states in the eastern Mediterranean, referring to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Mavrides said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas “never talks” about the issue. He said this was not European unity that strengthens the bloc, but “hypocrisy that weakens us” and feeds the extreme right wing.

He called for Article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union, the EU’s mutual defence clause, to be made “workable and operational”. Addressing Kallas, he said her “double standard policy” was increasing part of the problem.

Geadi seeks roadmap for Article 42.7

Geadis said hybrid warfare is conducted through non-military means aimed at destabilising, coercing and undermining a state’s sovereignty. He cited cyberattacks, propaganda, the manipulation of non-governmental organisations and the weaponisation of illegal immigrants.

He called on the EU to establish a clear roadmap for activating Article 42.7, saying this should ensure the mutual defence clause could be applied immediately and effectively.

Geadis said there could be no European defence without consistency and credibility. He criticised the European Commission’s leadership for what he described as close relations with the Turkish government and objected to Kallas referring to Turkey as a partner of Europe.

He described Turkey as a state “accountable for genocides and human rights violations”, accused it of waging hybrid warfare against Cyprus, and said it occupies European territory belonging to the Republic of Cyprus.

Addressing Kallas, he said she should be careful when shaking hands “stained with the blood of hundreds and thousands of innocent people.”