Costas MAVRIDES

Policy topics Costas MAVRIDES is active on

What Costas MAVRIDES has said (34)

• 2025-10-21 “E-004147/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Ribera on behalf of the European Commission The Commission could investigate this matter if there are concrete indications of a potential infringement of Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU’), which prohibits abuses of a dominant position. However, as the situations reported by the Honourable Member seem to be local and primarily affecting only Cyprus, the national competition authority of Cyprus (the Commission for the Protection of Competition) would seem to be better placed to investigate this matter. The Commission notes, however, that Article 102 TFEU, and the equivalent national rules, apply only to abuses by dominant companies and that – based on the information provided in the question – it is not evident that these conditions are fulfilled. Whether applying the conditions mentioned by the Honourable Member for the award of public construction projects are legitimate depends on the specific circumstances of each case and cannot be answered in general. Likewise, the Commission has insufficient information at its disposal to speculate how competition in this area could be improved.”
  EU Competition policy · "Buy European" provisions
• 2025-10-15 “E-004064/2025 Answer given by Mr Jørgensen on behalf of the European Commission In preparing the European Affordable Housing Plan (EAHP), the Commission is assessing the impact of rising rents on tenants and will support national, regional and local authorities to address structural drivers of the housing crisis and add value at the European level while respecting the subsidiarity and proportionality principles. The Commission intends to put forward the EAHP still in 2025 and organise an EU Housing Summit in 2026. Rent control and more generally the relations between the tenant and the owner are generally considered as issues of contract law, thus falling primarily under the realm of Member States. There is no European regulatory framework regulating rent control measures. It corresponds to the national courts, which are also the ordinary courts of EU law, to assess the legality of national rent control measures as the ones referred to by the Honourable Member and their compatibility with the single market and the right of property.”
  EU competences on social policies · EU housing policy
• 2025-09-26 “E-003759/2025 Answer given by Ms Kos on behalf of the European Commission The implementation of pre-accession assistance in Türkiye follows the EU Financial Regulation 1 . The Commission monitors its programmes through several means, including regular reports from implementing partners, on-the-spot verification missions, results-oriented monitoring and external evaluations. If there is evidence that a beneficiary violated the applicable legislation during the implementation of a project and did not comply with EU rules, the Commission and national agencies shall make use of all available means, including terminating the cooperation and recovering the EU funds. So far there is no indication suggesting that EU funds would be used for other purposes than the ones intended for. Any allegations will be investigated on the basis of provided evidence. The Commission has a comprehensive set of preventive and investigative mechanisms in place, including stringent internal controls, regular audits, transparency rules, and cooperation with bodies such as the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). When the Commission becomes aware of any suspected cases of fraud, corruption or any other illegal activity affecting the EU budget, it informs OLAF and, where applicable, the EPPO. The Commission ensures follow-up and makes sure funds have an impact on the ground. Reporting requirements, which may include expenditure verification and audits, are agreed depending on the specific projects, implementing partners and modalities. A monitoring framework 2 is in place which includes bi-annual Sectoral Monitoring Committees, for each sector receiving EU support and an annual Joint Monitoring Committee, covering all contracts under implementation across all sectors. 1 https://commission.europa.eu/publications/eu-financial-regulation_en. 2 https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/4450df88-19ad-11ec-b4fe-01aa75ed71a1/language-en, https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/23b6af49-5e12-11ec-9c6c-01aa75ed71a1/language-en.”
  EU-Turkey relations
• 2025-09-04 “E-003415/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto on behalf of the European Commission The term ‘legal texts’ is used in Article 2 of the Aid Regulation 1 , which sets out the objectives of the aid programme for the Turkish Cypriot community. These objectives include ‘preparation of legal texts aligned with the acquis communautaire for the purpose of these being immediately applicable upon the entry into force of a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem’. The Commission, while reaffirming the EU’s non-recognition of the socalled ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’, is bound by adopted legislation. As regards the second question, the Commission shares the Honourable Member’s goal to protect environmental as well as health and safety standards and does not consider the revision of Council Regulation (EC) No 866/2004 2 the appropriate means to achieve that goal. In addition, according to the information available, trade in aggregates across the Green Line does not currently take place. Concerning the rights of natural and legal persons including property rights, Article 7 of the Aid Regulation requires the Commission to ensure, when implementing the Regulation, that the rights of natural or legal persons, including the rights to possessions and property, are respected. The Commission systematically consults the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus to avoid infringing property rights in its actions, including actions that support trade across the Green Line. Beyond the scope of the Aid Regulation, the Commission has no competence to ensure that property transactions in the areas in which the Government of the Republic of Cyprus does not exercise effective control respect the rights of the owners concerned, due to the suspension of the acquis in those areas. 1 Council Regulation (EC) No 389/2006, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32006R0389. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2004/866/oj/eng.”
  EU-Turkey relations
• 2025-07-28 “E-003121/2025 Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the European Commission Member States are primarily responsible for civil protection and the EU can support through the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) 1 . After a request for assistance, the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) supports with offers from Member States and resources from the European Civil Protection Pool 2 . If these are insufficient, rescEU can be deployed with defined criteria 3 . On 23 July 2025, Cyprus activated the UCPM and the ERCC responded with planes from Spain and Sweden, but Cyprus declined it as conditions improved. A Greek team assisted from 25 to 27 July 2025. In addition, the two rescEU planes stationed in Cyprus from June to October 2025 joined the operations. In the 2025 State of the Union 4 , the President of the Commission proposed a European hub in Cyprus for regional support. Discussions on its setup are ongoing. Some EU programmes can support Cyprus in restoration. The EU Solidarity Fund offers recovery support and can be activated upon request with a deadline of 12 weeks from the time of the first damage 5 , covering costs for emergency and recovery, but not private damages. Under the 2021–2027 Cohesion Policy, Member States can use cohesion funds for investments in risk prevention and management 6 . Member States affected by natural disasters during 2024–2025 can use the Regional Emergency Support to Reconstruction 7 flexibility to reallocate resources for infrastructure reconstruction and socio-economic recovery. Member States handle implementation under the Cohesion Policy's shared management principle. Funds under measure 8 8 of the Cypriot Rural Development Programme 2014-2022, have been used for prevention and restoration of damage to forests from fires, natural disasters and catastrophic events, with an execution rate of 92%. Corresponding interventions are included in the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan 2023-2027 9 . 1 https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/eu-civil-protection-mechanism_en. 2 https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/european-civil-protection-pool_en. 3 The criteria are pre-defined in Article 34 of Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/704 - https://eurlex.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2025/704/oj/eng. 4 https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/state-union/state-union-2025_en. 5 Article 4 of the Consolidated text Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02002R2012-20140628. 6 ‘Thalia’ programme in the case of Cyprus, https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/in-yourcountry/programmes/2021-2027/cy/2021cy16ffpr001_en. 7 https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/whats-new/newsroom/18-12-2024-commission-welcomes-adoption-ofrestore-proposal-helping-member-states-recover-from-climate-relateddisasters_en#:~:text=RESTORE%20allows%20Member%20States%20affected%20by%20climaterelated%20disasters,temporarily%20support%20the%20financing%20of%20short-time%20work%20schemes. 8 Namely sub-measures 8.3 and 8.4. 9 https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/cap-my-country/cap-strategicplans_en#:~:text=EU%20countries%20implement%20the%202023-”
  EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood
• 2025-06-14 “E-002402/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto on behalf of the European Commission As pointed out in the replies to written questions E-001687/2024 1 and E-002244/2017 2 , the Commission is aware of the quarrying activities in the Pentadaktylos mountains and continues to follow the issue. The Commission takes note of the concerns related to environmental considerations and to fair competition. It regularly raises, with the Turkish Cypriot community, the need to apply appropriate conservation measures and protect this environmentally sensitive area. The Commission is also facilitating the alignment of Turkish Cypriot legal texts to EU environmental standards, particularly in relation to construction and demolition waste and its recycling, to reduce quarrying. Pursuant to Protocol 10 of the 2003 Act of Accession 3 , the acquis in the areas of the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) in which the RoC Government does not exercise effective control is suspended. The trade of goods from these areas to the areas in which the RoC Government exercises effective control takes place under Council Regulation (EC) No 866/2004 (Green Line Regulation) 4 . The Green Line Regulation does not prohibit the trade of construction materials, including aggregates, across the Green Line, subject to some requirements. The primacy of EU law prohibits Member States from adopting or applying national provisions that conflict with EU law. 1 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/-ASW_EN.html. 2 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/-ASW_EN.html. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/treaty/acc_2003/act_1/pro_10/sign/eng. 4 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02004R0866-20150831.”
  Trade relations with Turkey · Due diligence in supply chains (environmental and human rights)
• 2025-05-14 “E-001920/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen on behalf of the European Commission The Commission recognises the serious threat of digital fraud and AI-enabled fraud 1 , including investment scams using deepfakes. To tackle these threats, the European Union has put in place a robust regulatory framework. The Digital Services Act 2 offers a range of tools to address digital fraud and misleading practices, such as financial scams and deepfakes. These include the obligations for providers of online platforms to put in place notice and action mechanisms and measures to tackle repeated offenders 3 , enhanced due diligence obligations for providers of very large online platforms (VLOPs) and very large online search engines 4 (VLOSEs) 5 as well as other duties 6 . The AI Act 7 addresses this phenomenon through two mechanisms: prohibited practices and transparency obligations. The AI Act prohibits AI systems that employ subliminal or deceptive techniques to distort human behaviour, particularly when this leads to significant harm 8 . This prohibition includes AI systems designed for investment scam using deepfakes. Moreover, the AI Act establishes transparency obligations for synthetically generated or edited content, including deepfakes, requiring that providers mark AI-generated outputs in a machine-readable way 9 . 1 From the recent initiatives, see the ProtectEU Strategy, which announced the intention to ‘strengthen our ability to combat online fraud – which is causing very significant financial harm – the Commission will support prevention measures and more effective law enforcement action and will work with Member States and stakeholders to support and protect victims, including by assisting in recovering their funds. These efforts will be formalised in an Action Plan on Online Fraud. See: Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on ProtectEU: a European Internal Security Strategy, COM/2025/148 final. 2 Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market for Digital Services and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act, DSA). 3 Article 16 and Article 23 DSA. 4 Online platforms and online search engines with a number of average monthly active recipients in the EU equal to or higher than 45 million and which are designated as VLOPs or VLOSEs under Art. 33(4) DSA. 5 Such as the obligation to compile and make publicly available advertising repositories (Article 39 DSA). 6 Providers of VLOPs and VLOSEs are also required to diligently identify, assess and analyse the systemic risks stemming from design, functioning and use made of their services and related systems (including algorithmic systems) (Art. 34 DSA) and to put in place reasonable, effective and proportionate mitigation measures, tailored to the identified risks (Art. 35 DSA). Such systemic risks include the dissemination of illegal content and any actual or foreseeable negative effects for fundamental rights to inter alia a high-level of consumer protection, and may therefore include the creation and spread of scams and deep fakes on VLOPs and VLOSEs. Mitigating such risks may include adapting their content moderation policies and reinforcing their internal process for the detection of systemic risks. The Commission has opened formal proceedings for suspected infringements relating to some of these issues. See https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/list-designated-vlops-andvloses#ecl-inpage-metaplatforms. 7 Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (Artificial Intelligence Act). 8 Article 5(1)(a) of the AI Act. 9 In particular, under Article 50, providers of AI systems, including general-purpose AI systems, generating synthetic content, are required to ensure that the outputs of the AI system are marked in a machine-readable format and detectable as artificially generated or manipulated.”
  Artificial Intelligence · Transparency and oversight of AI-generated content
• 2025-03-19 “E-001179/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto on behalf of the European Commission The Commission attributes great importance to the preservation of cultural heritage in Cyprus and regularly raises the importance of safeguarding sites of cultural and religious significance. Under the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, the Commission supports the bi-communal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (TCCH). Since 2012, the Commission has provided EUR 32.5 million to support the work of the Committee, which has restored, conserved or protected more than 180 cultural sites across Cyprus. The United Nations Development Programme implements the EU funding. EU funding for the TCCH is regularly mentioned in the annual reports on the implementation of the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community 1 . Concerning the Sourp Magar monastery, a Rehabilitation Plan and Conservation Design was included in the TCCH works programme.in 2018, but not completed due to Covid-19. The Commission understands that the TCCH still intends to proceed with the conservation works. The TCCH is currently undertaking efforts to secure the funding needed, which would come from the EU and from other sources, including from the local communities concerned. The Commission welcomes the continuing efforts of the TCCH. 1 https://commission.europa.eu/publications/annual-reports-implementation-aid-regulation-turkish-cypriotcommunity_en.”
  EU engagement with Christian communities inside and outside the EU · EU-Turkey relations
• 2025-03-07 “E-001004/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto on behalf of the European Commission Since the establishment of the Nicosia wastewater treatment plant in 2013, the two Cypriot communities have agreed on the principle of recovering and sharing the treated water. For this to happen, a system of pipes and reservoirs needs to be constructed to channel the water to the end consumers and store it close to them. This infrastructure does not exist and therefore the treated water has been systematically discharged into the Pedieos river. In 2019 the Commission financed a feasibility study of a pipe system that would recover and bring the treated water from the plant to consumers around Athienou, estimating its cost at around EUR 50 million. It is for the two Cypriot communities to decide whether to proceed with taking on this project. The operation of the Nicosia wastewater treatment plant is the responsibility of the two Cypriot communities. The Commission is not part of this contract.”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• 2025-02-18 “E-000744/2025 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/745 1 , the ‘Medical Devices Regulation’ (MDR) sets the obligation for manufacturers of medical devices to reduce as far as possible the risks posed by substances or particles, including wear debris, degradation products, and processing residues, that may be released from the devices. In addition, the risks linked to the size and the properties of particles which are or can be released into the patient's or user's body must be reduced as far as possible and special attention must be given to nanomaterials. Fulfilment of those requirements and the safety of CE (Conformité Européenne) marked medical devices placed on the market under the MDR is ensured by the conformity assessment procedure, which, for medium and high-risk products, involves also an independent notified body. 1 http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2017/745/2025-01-10”
  Microplastics · Medical devices
• 2024-12-19 “P-003056/2024 Answer given by Mr McGrath on behalf of the European Commission The Commission acknowledges the specific situation related to the vehicles in circulation in Cyprus. More than 75% of the vehicle fleet in Cyprus is comprised of second-hand imports. In addition, high humidity and temperatures increase the safety hazards linked to Takata airbags. The Commission closely monitors the implementation and enforcement of EU legislation concerning consumer health and safety, including Regulation (EU) 2018/858 on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles 1 . Member States are responsible for the enforcement at national level. Regulation (EU) 2018/858, however, does not provide specific safety requirements for airbags fitted in vehicles. For risks not covered by EU harmonisation legislation, the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) 2 applies. The GPSR requires that all consumer products placed on the market are safe. The GPSR introduces new obligations for economic operators on traceability, product recalls, the right to information of consumers and to cost-free and effective remedies in case of product recalls. The GPSR is implemented by national market surveillance authorities. When the Commission identifies potential shortcomings in a Member State’s implementation of EU legislation, it engages in a structured dialogue to assess compliance. If it concludes that the legislation has not been implemented correctly, the Commission may initiate infringement proceedings under Article 258 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. 1 Regulation (EU) 2018/858 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, PE/73/2017/REV/1, OJ L 151, 14.6.2018. 2 Regulation (EU) 2023/988 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 2023 on general product safety, PE/79/2022/REV/1, OJ L 135, 23.5.2023.”
  EU competences on consumer protection and product standards
• 2024-11-05 “E-002421/2024 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is aware of the situation of the Greek Cypriot schools in Rizokarpaso (see joint reply to parliamentary questions 548/24 and 701/24 1 ). It deplores all difficulties that the staff and the students face. The Commission encourages both communities in Cyprus to abide fully by the provisions of the 1975 Third Vienna Agreement 2 and will continue to monitor the situation. The situation emphasises the urgent need to reach a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue. The Commission welcomes the recent developments at the United Nations (UN) level and hopes that the two agreed forthcoming meetings will produce positive results. The EU stands ready to play an active role in supporting all stages of the UN-facilitated process, with all appropriate means at its disposal. The EU remains fully committed to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem within the UN framework, on the basis of a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, in accordance with all relevant UN Security Council resolutions and in line with the principles on which the EU is founded and the acquis. The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) has long-standing contacts with the Greek Cypriots and Maronites residing in the Turkish Cypriot community, regularly delivering humanitarian assistance to them. The UN also engages with the education authorities of the Republic of Cyprus and with the Turkish Cypriot local bodies to ensure the functioning of the Greek Cypriot schools in Rizokarpaso. 1 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/-ASW_EN.html 2 https://www.pio.gov.cy/en/agreements-the-third-vienna-agreement-(2-august-1975).html”
  EU-Turkey relations
• 2024-10-15 “E-002080/2024 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is aware of cases of legal actions taken against EU citizens involved in property transactions and property development in the areas not under the effective control of the government of the Republic of Cyprus. Article 7 of Council Regulation (EC) No 389/2006 (the Aid Regulation) 1 provides that the Commission shall ensure that, in the implementation of actions financed under the Regulation, the rights of natural or legal persons, including the rights to possessions and property, are respected. To this end, the Commission systematically consults the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus and avoids infringing property rights in actions financed under the Aid Regulation. Outside the scope of the Aid Regulation, the Commission has no competence to ensure that property transactions in the non-government controlled areas respect the rights of the owners concerned, due to the suspension of the acquis in those areas pursuant to Protocol 10 of the 2003 Act of Accession 2 . 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32006R0389 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A12003T%2FPRO%2F10”
  EU-Turkey relations
• 2024-09-17 “-001737/2024 Answer given by Mr Hahn on behalf of the European Commission The Commission acknowledges that Chapter 32 of the EU acquis 1 , on ‘Financial Control’, refers to the requirement for an independent, operationally and financially autonomous external audit institution. This is a key part to ensure sound financial management, transparency and accountability in Member States, as well as in candidate countries in the framework of accession negotiations. The Country chapter for Cyprus of the 2024 Rule of Law Report 2 reports on developments in relation to the Audit Office of Cyprus and makes several references to the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) standards, such as the Lima and Mexico Declarations. These standards are crucial for safeguarding the institutional independence of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) which are important actors in the systems of checks and balances and are a central component of the anti-corruption framework. Although not formally part of the EU acquis, these standards are crucial for ensuring robust financial oversight and effective governance. Independent Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) play a critical role in safeguarding public trust and ensuring transparency in the management of public funds. 1 https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/enlargement-policy/conditions-membership/chaptersacquis_en 2 https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/a3e5a6f3-2dc4-403a-94eaaf42177813e9_en?filename=31_1_58067_coun_chap_cyprus_en.pdf”
  EU Supervision of the Rule of Law
• 2024-09-13 “E-001707/2024 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Vestager on behalf of the European Commission The Commission would like to recall that not all public funding involves State aid within the meaning of Article 107(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. In general, it is for Member States to assess if a measure involves State aid and in advance of any granting to notify to the Commission for assessment, unless such measure is covered by block exemptions, which can be implemented without prior Commission scrutiny. In the absence of a preliminary examination conducted under its State aid powers, the Commission cannot take a position on whether the fee paid by the Cypriot government complies with EU State aid rules.”
  State Aid · EU Competition policy
• “Thank you. President. Due to the war in Iran, there was an attack against the British military bases in Cyprus. And that made Cyprus a target as well, thanks to the swift aerial and naval response of Greece, France, Italy, Spain, Holland and others, Cyprus is fully protected. Fully protected. Reacting to this European solidarity, the Erdogan regime transferred six F-16 fighter jets to the northern occupied part of Cyprus, which is an EU territory. Today we heard no single word about this from Madame von der Leyen. Nothing. Nothing about this new anti-European behavior of Turkey that blocks the EU energy projects in eastern Mediterranean and continues to occupy EU territory in Cyprus. Sooner or later, Madame von der Leyen will go. But we. As Europe, we would have to face the feeding of the Turkish monster.”
  EU-Turkey relations
• “(11:32:30 – 11:33:54): A single market accessible for people and businesses is essential for becoming an autonomous and competitive EU. In this process, public services at the backbone of Europe's social market economy, access to affordable, high quality essential goods and services such as housing, energy, water, health for everyone and in every EU region is nonnegotiable. Today, with the geopolitical tensions in The Middle East driving up energy prices, EU must act swiftly to protect consumers and businesses from bearing the cost of this instability. A competitive Europe must also guarantee access to affordable housing for all. Housing is fundamental right and the foundation of family security. We need to preserve it to preserve our demography. Local and regional authorities play a primary role in addressing housing and mobilize the funding needed to increase supply. They need our tools, and they know the solutions. Finally, a stronger European economy needs the completion of the banking union. Since my first mandate, I have called for the implementation of the third pillar with the European deposit insurance scheme. Thank you very much. The next speaker is Rudy Kinnis. President,”
  European Banking Union
• “17:13 – 16:17:57): Thank you Chair, Madam Kellas. The incident in Cyprus made it very clear that the mutual defense clause forty two point seven is not operational. How would you make it operational in the future? Second as a chair of the political committee for the Mediterranean I have been advocating for years now that within the EU defense we could have regional defense sectors. I think that's also an idea supported by the Commissioner. I'd like to get your response to that specifically whether we could support the permanent presence of European naval and area forces in Cyprus. Thank you.”
  EU competences on defence
• “Thank you. Founding father of the EU stated, quote, Europe will not be made all at once or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first created de facto solidarity. Eu defence is the most important project for deepening EU over the last few decades. Fragmentation of defence industry is a problem. Political fragmentation, though, is a political mistake. Geo political mistake. The last few years we've seen the war in Ukraine and now the war in Iran. We need to go beyond national armies. We need EU defence mechanisms to protect Europe. A regional EU defence permanent representation of EU forces in Cyprus is the first concrete step. If we keep silent once again about the recent transferring of Turkey's Air six air fighters to the occupied area of Cyprus, I'm going to say it very bluntly, Mr. Commissioner. We are feeding the monster and keep the state. The new ruler anti anti-European. The new Iran would be Erdogan's Turkey.”
  EU competences on defence
• “Madam president, I will speak in my mother tongue. That's why you might need your headphones. On behalf of the SD. On behalf of the SD, I welcome you to the European Parliament. There are very clear challenges when it comes to the security, economy and society. You already referred to this and all of this is interlinked. And that is why if we are to manage all of this, we need a holistic approach. The EU has to play a political role. Finally will be focusing on the strategic autonomy of the EU. And this means power. We have to respect law and we have to make sure that there is coherence within the EU. We have to focus on energy and housing. You have also proved by taking on the presidency that Cyprus is a bridge. It is an EU bridge towards the Middle East and beyond. However, president, this is about respect, values and solidarity and that is why EU citizens wonder that when it comes to what happened in Ukraine, we put sanctions on the transgressor. But we didn't do the same. In the case of Cyprus, even though the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU is being breached because we have a Turkish occupation of Cyprus. So how are we going to make sure that we have energy supply from outside the EU, but also make sure that we look at what has happened domestically. Ladies and gentlemen and president in office, we are going to work with you for a unified Europe based on solidarity. Thank you.”
  EU-Turkey relations
• “Towards the European External Action Service, and I would take the line from my colleague regarding Euro defence. There has been a prevailing view that we should define the threats, and specifically we define threats based on the geopolitical external threatening towards member states. That's why we hear about Russia and we all agree. However, Russia is not a threat for Malta, for example, when in fact Turkey is a real threat to Cyprus or Greece. In fact, Turkey occupies part of the EU territory in Cyprus. So wouldn't it be much better and meaningful perhaps to have as priority the solidarity and collectivity in our defence and security in order to face all threats, all together with adding value to all Member States. And a final comment regarding communications that might be an answer to the question by many EU citizens what do we defend? So when we have clearly defined, what do we have to defend, then we can gain also the minds and hearts of all EU citizens, or if not all, the most.”
  EU competences on defence
• “Thank you, Mr. President. It's not your fault, but this is not the first time I follow the discussion from the very beginning. Many colleagues have the chance to make one, two, and sometimes even more blue cards. That is unacceptable. Those of us who stay for all this time, waiting until the end. We hope for a chance to have the catch the eye. We got denied. I repeat, it's not your fault. But we need to review this procedure.”
  Transparency requirements of EU institutions
• “Facing out the Russian natural gas imports is about our energy security and destiny. But the real issue is not just to end the the Russian imports to EU, but to also close the loopholes through third countries, especially unreliable and autocratic regimes that can play for years a dirty game at the expense of our vital interests. For example, Turkey and Azerbaijan are both a striking example. And in fact, just recently they stated publicly that they will not comply with any sanctions, just like just like they do for years. But this regulation is also about diversification of energy resources and pipelines. Some of them have already been mentioned, and I will mention 1 or 2. As of now, the only potential for domestic source of energy within the EU is the Eastern Mediterranean. We had new discoveries recently, new agreements with the Republic of Cyprus at the center of all this. So the conclusion is, on one hand, we had bad, bad politics, and on the other hand, we had good politics and vision for Europe. And the choice I think the real choice is very clear.”
  EU approach to energy security (home-made vs import sources)
• “Thank you. Mr.. This draft legislation to ban Putin's oil and gas imports is not only about EU, but finally to close the loopholes through third countries towards an energy independent and stronger Europe. Regarding third countries, Turkey is a striking scandal. Even recently, Turkish officials stated that they will not comply with any sanctions, just like they do for years. The Commission, particularly the High Representative, pretends they know nothing. They are supposed to be the guardian of our collective EU interests, specifically Basically a European project of common interest, ending the energy isolation of Cyprus, connecting it with a European energy grid. Strengthening EU's autonomy by accessing its own energy reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean is blocked by Turkey against EU interests, and the Commission considers Turkey a really a reliable partner for Europe defence. This is not just hypocrisy. This is bad politics for Europe.”
  EU-Turkey relations
• “Thank you, Mr. President. It's not your fault, but this is not the first time I follow the discussion from the very beginning. Many colleagues have the chance to make one, two, and sometimes even more blue cards. That is unacceptable. Those of us who stay for all this time, waiting until the end. We hope for a chance to have the catch the eye. We got denied. I repeat, it's not your fault. But we need to review this procedure.”
  Transparency requirements of EU institutions
• “Thank you Madam President. It has been more than ten years since the banking union was agreed upon with the European Deposit Insurance Scheme. However, it has not been implemented. Banking union without ideas means banking union without fair competition as the burden of deposit insurance falls on the member states. In fact, larger states have a competitive advantage over smaller ones due to their size, as demonstrated by the brutal haircut of depositors in Cyprus. However, given the current confidence and profitability in the banking sector, while the risks remain, this may be a favourable time for action conditional on political will of those Member States that oppose it. Regarding regarding Member States with long record of abusive practices and terms in banking contracts resulting in illegal charges at the expense of consumers, business and effective out-of-court settlement mechanism is required. The absence for decades of such mechanisms, such as Cyprus, led people and businesses to bankruptcy and other social damages.”
  European Deposit Insurance Scheme
• “(09:40:22 – 09:41:01): I'm gonna be quite short. Sorry for being late. Talking about EU borders recently about a week ago we had a report by the European Commission making a reference to protecting the eastern borders of EU. Do you consider that the eastern borders of EU and the threat extend also to the eastern Mediterranean given the casus belli by Turkey against one member state and especially the continued occupation of Cyprus by Turkish militaries? That's my question.”
  EU-Turkey relations
• “Thank you. Founding father of the EU stated, quote, Europe will not be made all at once or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first created de facto solidarity. Eu defence is the most important project for deepening EU over the last few decades. Fragmentation of defence industry is a problem. Political fragmentation, though, is a political mistake. Geopolitical mistake. The last few years we've seen the war in Ukraine and now the war in Iran. We need to go beyond national armies. We need EU defence mechanisms to protect Europe. A regional EU defence permanent representation of EU forces in Cyprus is the first concrete step. If we keep silent once again about the recent transferring of Turkey's air six air fighters to the occupied area of Cyprus, I'm going to say it very bluntly, Mr. Commissioner. We are feeding the monster and keep the state. The new ruler, anti-European. The new Iran would be Erdogan's Turkey.”
  EU competences on defence
• “A single market accessible for people and businesses is essential for becoming an autonomous and competitive EU. In this process, public services are the backbone of Europe's social market economy. Access to affordable, high quality essential goods and services such as housing, energy, water, health for everyone and in every region is non-negotiable. Today, with the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East driving up energy prices, EU must act swiftly to protect consumers and businesses from bearing the cost of this instability. A competitive Europe must also guarantee access to affordable housing for all. Housing is a fundamental right and the foundation of family security. We need to preserve it to preserve our demography. Local and regional authorities play a primary role in addressing housing and mobilize the funding needed to increase supply. They need our tools and they know the solutions. Finally, a stronger European economy needs the completion of the banking union. Since my first mandate, I have called for the implementation of the third pillar with the European Deposit Insurance Scheme.”
  European Deposit Insurance Scheme
• “Thank you. In 2021, our political group was the first one to raise the issue of a housing policy. And we managed to included into the recovery mechanism. However, the government could pick their own recovery plan. Pick and choose it as they like. And my country, Cyprus, did not include €1 for this issue, despite the fact that we have a huge housing problem. But finally we find out, uh, better late than never, that there is now an in European plan for housing. And that means when the markets fail, the institutions need to step in. And, uh, this can be more effective when we are confident in our own institutional powers and we're not just blindly trusting in the markets. Finally, we're moving ahead with this. And affordable housing is a right, not a privilege. And of course, housing is something that has to do with families and demography. Thank you.”
  EU housing policy
• “Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm going to be sure to. I have a very specific question from the outset. I want to say that my reading is that this project, the the digital euro, is going to be one way forward, driven by innovation and by geo economic antagonism. Having said that, though, it's also very clear to me that the benefits during normal conditions are also straightforward. Here's my question. Having the experience of Cyprus, especially during 2013. But not only in Cyprus when banks were in financial distress. And we have horrible conditions in Cyprus with social and economic structure. How do we estimate what will happen during not normal conditions with incentives remain the same? To be first in line and get your money as a depositor, just like we have now with, uh, let's say normal Euro physical cash.”
  Digital euro
• “Thank you, Madam Chair. Mr. Commissioner, it's a pleasure to have you in the Parliament again. Uh, two short questions. One with regards to financing. Uh, hopefully I would be the only one, but perhaps not the only one that I receive emails and phone calls and messages that there are rumors that the security and defense somehow put a hand on deposits or pension funds. Did you hear that? Okay. So I would really need to make a comment on that. Okay. Second question is with regards to, um, convincing our societies about solidarity and defence. And I fully agree with what you have said about the appeasement policy. And that's why we need just 10s to support Ukraine. But at the same time, I think that the third countries like Turkey, where they have their own agenda and their agenda is anti-Western and anti-EU.”
  Russia-Ukraine conflict (10th term)
• “Thank you. Madam president, has been an unprecedented instrument aiming to help the recovery and resilience in EU after the Covid pandemic. As a group, we have always stood for the full use of the opportunities it offers for the benefit of our societies. In this specific report, we call for an 18 month extension for the implementation of mature projects, with the possibility for the finalisation of ongoing projects also through other funding schemes. Protecting these projects is a matter of economic and social responsibility, and the flexibility and consistency are required from the Commission also to due to our group leading role, the need to tackle the housing crisis is included, urging the member States to accelerate investments in affordable housing for all using RF funds. We acknowledge, though, the positive impact of the NRF on society and economy. While we are concerned about the gap in public investments, we call for the continuation of support for public investment without diverting resources from existing programmes and, moreover, to create a common, permanent, long term investment instrument.”
  Conditions to access EU budget
• “Thank you, Mr. Chair. Minister. Right here. There are many threads traditionally hybrid and. But one stands out as self-evident. You have not mentioned it. Understand why? Because you don't have much time. I'm referring to the continuing occupation of EU territory in the northern part of Cyprus. However, Turkey continued its own neo Ottoman expansionist policy beyond Cyprus. And one example of that is what Mr. Magnus has already referred to, including its so-called UN clause, or exclusive economic zone with the regime in Libya. My question is this. Many colleagues, many times not many, but few of them. They say, but we need Turkey. We need Turkey towards perhaps the Russian aggression in Ukraine or elsewhere. I understand that. But that is against our values and our key. What is your side? Are you on the side of our values or on the side of, let's say, using Turkey in our foreign policies?”
  EU-Turkey relations