Ursula von der Leyen’s speech the day before yesterday on the State of the European Union is regarded as extremely significant, as it took place at a time of intense geopolitical upheaval and introduced radical proposals for the future of Europe. For Cyprus, in fact, it is considered even more critical, as it took place immediately after Cyprus’s EU Presidency, which, as our President and his deputy minister – who is also maid of honour to his wife – proclaimed, was one of the most successful ever.
The main reasons that lend her speech historical significance centre on certain key themes, first and foremost the ‘Radical Change of European Defence & Security’. The Commission President placed security at the top of the agenda, warning that threats on European soil are on the rise. She proposed the creation of a new institutional body that would bring together the leaders of the EU, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Norway and Canada. He also announced the creation of a new, specialised mechanism to deal directly with hybrid threats and cyberattacks.
What he said, word for word – and which has sent waves of emotion across the island – is that ‘Europe will defend each and every square metre of its territory’. It is impossible for this declaration not to be linked to Ms Ursula’s warm reception, embraces and kisses with President Christodoulides, which we photographed during the six months of the Cypriot Presidency.
What a disappointment, however. The President referred to Greenland and Ukraine, but ‘not a word about Cyprus’, as our MEPs complain in a lengthy and interesting report by CNA yesterday. The failure to mention Cyprus in the Commission President’s speech was highlighted by our six MEPs in their statements to CNA. It is simply unacceptable for Europe to proclaim that it will defend every square metre of its territory, yet make no mention of the ongoing crime of invasion and occupation in Cyprus! Especially when, as recently as two months ago, our President, apart from the warm embraces, even took her on a tour of the Ayia Napa marina. That spot was just a stone’s throw from the ceasefire line that separates us from the 3,355,000 square metres of European territory occupied by Turkey.
Could it be that the President erred in appointing Mr Nikos Tornaritis as his personal envoy for the Cyprus issue in Africa and Asia? Perhaps, instead of exhausting his diplomatic skills on appointing a European envoy to Cyprus, he should have appointed a Cypriot envoy to Europe? Mr Tornaritis would have done a fine job, even though his experience over the last 13 years has been in Asia and Africa.
Source: ENVOY TO EUROPE
