Unitary state only solution to Cyprus issue, says MEP Geadi

Member of the European Parliament Geadis Geadi says he believes a unitary state is the only realistic solution to the Cyprus issue.

MEP Geadi, representing Cyprus at the European Parliament, said that the principles and values of the European Union: democracy, peace, freedom, and respect for human rights must be upheld.

He spoke to Armenpress about the Cyprus issue, how Azerbaijan is creating “significant problems” over this issue, as well as EU's foreign policy, particularly concerning its relations with Turkey.

What is the current stage of the Cyprus problem, and what realistic solution do you envision?

The Turkish invasion has caused immense suffering to the Republic of Cyprus, which we have been experiencing since 1974 up until today. We continue to face Turkey's ongoing efforts to legitimize the fait accompli created by the Turkish invasion through violence. We are confronted with a powerful external mechanism driven by Turkey that seeks to legalize these illegalities, which are in direct violation of international law and the very principles and values of the European Union itself.

You asked me what a realistic solution to the Cyprus problem is. Unfortunately, for many years now, all political parties and successive governments have followed a mistaken political path based on the creation of a solution rooted in a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. This approach effectively transforms a de facto situation into a de jure one, legalizing the illegality and effectively partitioning the island into two.

Our position is that we must uphold the principles and values of the European Union: democracy, peace, freedom, and respect for human rights. This can only be achieved through a unitary state, where Turkish Cypriots will be integrated and live peacefully without racist divisions. The very Charter of the United Nations clearly states that the solution must not be based on territorial, religious, linguistic, or ethnic divisions. Therefore, the only realistic, viable, and functional solution, which must be democratic to withstand the test of time, is that of a unitary state. This is the approach we support, and we must guide Turkey in that direction.

How do you assess Azerbaijan’s position regarding Cyprus and the Cyprus issue?

As for Azerbaijan, regarding Cyprus, it indeed causes significant problems. In fact, recently, I submitted a letter of complaint to the European authorities after Mr. Aliyev's statements claiming that he would strengthen efforts for the pseudo-state’s recognition, which goes beyond international law. We are witnessing a close cooperation between Turkey and Azerbaijan, as they move along the same model of a “solution”. Azerbaijan also contributes to the Turkic states and promotes efforts to legitimize the pseudo-state, that is, the illegal secessionist entity established by Turkey in Cyprus. This goes against international law and violates human rights. Through Azerbaijan’s support, Turkey is trying to gain legitimacy for this illegal entity.

Our response must be clear: we must not accept any such move, and all parties must respect international law. Of course, we harbor no illusions about Azerbaijan, as you are better aware than we are that Azerbaijan does not respect human rights, peace, or freedom, even within Armenia itself. So, we do not expect Azerbaijan to respect these values in Cyprus either.

What is your assessment of the EU's foreign policy, particularly concerning its relations with Turkey?

As you see, our political stance towards Turkey is that this country has no place in the European Union. We are talking about a state which, as you know very well, has committed the Armenian Genocide and has also committed genocide against Cyprus and Greece. This is not a country with a history; it is a country with a criminal record, and it has no place in the EU. We must block its path.

I recently participated in a committee on human rights in Turkey, and I raised a clear question: how can anyone expect the Turkish Republic to implement the rule of law and respect for human rights internally, when it does not respect them externally, in Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh, Greece, Cyprus, Syria?

For that reason, what worries me is that some political circles are trying to include Turkey in a defensive military cooperation doctrine, arming a state that could ultimately use those weapons against European countries, against Armenia, against Israel. Therefore, some must stop turning a blind eye and face the real dangers.

Our role is to protect people and to stop the kind of cooperation that some are seeking to develop with Turkey. Because we should not be defending interests, we must defend the principles and values upon which the European Union is built.

Otherwise, we are merely a Union of interests. What we seek instead is a union of nations based on clear principles and values.