President Nicos Anastasiades shared his vision on the Future of Europe with MEPs in Strasbourg on Wednesday, as he explained that the four freedoms considered self-evident in the EU constitute an achievement for his divided country.
 
Anastasiades was addressing the plenary of the European Parliament which has been hosting EU leaders in debates on the future of Europe.
 
The Cypriot president, who arrived a day after three people were killed in a shooting in the town’s Christmas market, started his address by condemning the attack.
 
On the Cyprus issue, he told MEPs that the EU has a duty to contribute to a settlement.
 
Anastasiades recalled some of the “great historic truths” regarding the Cyprus issue: that it is basically a problem created by a foreign invasion and occupation, in violation of the human rights and fundamental freedoms, since in 1973 over a third of Cyprus’ population became refugees in their own country.
 
He said that while the Union is trying to address the repercussions of new tragedies at wars due to which millions of people have become refugees, the refugees of Cyprus continue to be deprived of their basic freedoms, and are not able to peacefully enjoy their properties and live in their homes.
 
“While we are discussing about our Future, for Cypriot citizens even the four basic principles which are self-evident for all the rest of Europe, constitute a goal difficult to achieve,” he noted.
 
He assured the members of the European Parliament about his will and determination to work tirelessly with a view to achieve a settlement that will not create winners and losers, that will fully respect the expectations and concerns of both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, that will create a functional and viable federal state on the basis of the UN Security Council resolutions, the agreements reached up until now during different periods of time between the leaders of the communities, a sovereign and independent state with no dependencies from third parties and intervention or guarantee rights or occupation troops. A European state whose structure, institutions and functions will fully abide with the European principles and values, he added.
 
He also elaborated on the achievements of the EU as well as the challenges the Union faces, noting that this has to be done by working together and leaving aside any different approaches and narrow national interests.
 
Anastasiades expressed his satisfaction over the result of the negotiations on Brexit, expressed his position in favour of the banking union and the capital markets union, the setting up of a European army as well as the immediate revision of the Common European Asylum System and the Dublin Regulations for addressing the immigration and the refugee issues. Moreover, he underlined the importance of the Trilateral cooperation schemes to which Cyprus participates for Europe’s energy security.
 
Regarding the EU budget and negotiations on the new EU fiscal framework for the period 2021-2027, President Anastasiades said it should reflect the development path into which Europe has entered after a difficult decade due to the global financial crisis. He said the budget should be ambitious and include expenditure necessary to address common challenges, such as digital integration, sustainable development, climate change, innovation, immigration, nationalism, asymmetric threats, and terrorism. President Anastasiades said the budget should also focus on the European citizens and improve their quality of life.
 
He also referred to the defence of the EU, noting that there was room for improvement. Cyprus was and continues to be an avid supporter of defence and military cooperation between member states. “Although we acknowledge PESCO as a decisive step, our vision remains the military autonomy of Europe, the creation of a Euro-army, to serve the interests of the EU.
 
Referring to the humanitarian crisis, he said Cyprus is receiving excessive migration pressure and tops the list of countries with the most asylum seekers in relation to the population. This, he said, was worsened by the fact that a third of Cyprus is still under Turkish occupation, with Turkey refusing to recognise the Republic of Cyprus or even cooperate in border control, illegal immigration and readmission.
 
Revising the Common European Asylum System and the Dublin Regulations was imperative, the President pointed out.
 
On the issue of climate change and the Paris Agreement, President Anastasiades said Cyprus, in the framework of the broader regional role it has been developing and its trilateral agreements with countries of the region, intended to undertake a coordinating role on a regional level to tackle the consequences of climate change.
 
He also said he was satisfied with the whole outcome of negotiations on Brexit and noted that he was also pleased with the agreement that the acquis communautaire would continue to apply in the Sovereign British Bases in Cyprus, so that all European citizens living or working in the Bases would continue to enjoy their European rights and benefits.