House committee criticises ministries for missing Cyprus-US discussion

Nicosia, Cyprus. The House foreign affairs committee on Tuesday criticised the foreign and defence ministries after neither sent a representative to a scheduled meeting on strategic ties between Cyprus and the United States and opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation.

Committee seeks formal assurances

Following the postponement, committee chairman and Disy MP Giorgos Karoullas told reporters that every other invited party had attended. He called the ministries’ absence “unacceptable and inconceivable” and said it raised questions about cooperation and mutual respect between the legislature and the executive.

Karoullas announced that the committee would immediately write to the foreign ministry to seek assurances against a recurrence. He said the absences hampered parliamentary oversight and the committee’s contribution to policymaking.

“We expect a response from the foreign ministry, and I appeal to the minister to take a position,” he said.

Earlier invitations raised

Speaking for the committee, Karoullas also referred to a meeting held six weeks earlier. He said the foreign ministry had sent a representative, but the relevant senior department had not participated.

He added that the ministry had declined two invitations to discuss progress towards Schengen membership for Cyprus, citing travel abroad by officials.