Cypriot MEPs urge EU to strengthen defence response to Turkey

Strasbourg, France. Two Cypriot members of the European Parliament called for stronger European Union defensive measures against Turkey during a plenary session following European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the European Union address.

Fourlas seeks defence commitment

Disy MEP Loucas Fourlas welcomed von der Leyen’s statement that “Europe will defend each and every square metre of its territory”, but criticised her for referring to Greenland and Ukraine without mentioning Cyprus.

He asked whether any Turkish aggression against Cyprus or Greece would be treated as an attack on European territory.

Fourlas also asked whether such action would trigger the immediate invocation of Article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union, the bloc’s mutual defence clause, and an immediate European response.

“We are not asking for a favour, we are asking for what is self-evident,” he said.

Geadi raises aviation concerns

Elam MEP Geadis Geadi welcomed von der Leyen’s call for the EU to establish an equivalent of Nato’s Article 4, under which allies consult when a member considers its territorial integrity, political independence or security to be threatened.

He also praised her commitment to defend every square metre of EU territory, but said Turkish drones and fighter jets were harassing civilian flights near Larnaca and Paphos airports at the time of her statement.

Geadi said Turkey was using the occupied territories of Cyprus to harass passenger aircraft and was endangering the lives of thousands of people.

He asked whether the EU would continue to describe Turkey as a partner or move from words to action, adding that he was tired of what he described as hypocrisy and double standards.