Cyprus House Plenary passes resolution on Ukraine

Cyprus Parliament Plenary on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution condemning Russia`s invasion of Ukraine and calling for an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory.

The Parliament said it supports the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders as a matter of international law adding that Moscow`s recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk regions as sovereign and independent constitutes a violation of the principle of territorial integrity of the states. Furthermore, the Parliament said, Russia`s action is a withdrawal from the Minsk Agreements, pointing out that respect for and non-interference in sovereign states` internal affairs is a cornerstone of international law.

Cyprus Parliament in its resolution also emphasized that the continuous and systematic violation of human rights in these areas is a substantial violation of the Minsk agreement and expressed its concern that the intense militarization and geopolitical confrontation that is developing in the region poses a threat to security and peace in Europe and internationally.

The resolution calls for a return to dialogue within the framework of the Minsk Agreements and for additional diplomatic initiatives, which could lead to the de-escalation of tensions and the peaceful settlement of the crisis in Ukraine.

In the resolution, the Parliament also condemned the provocative and hypocritical attitude of Turkey who condemned the illegal and unilateral declaration of independence of the breakaway territories of Donetsk and Luhansk from the Russian Federation, when Turkey itself recognized the UDI of the illegally occupied areas in Cyprus.

The MPs called for the European Union to show consistency and consequently the same stance for Russia and Turkey.

Yesterday during the extraordinary European Council meeting in Brussels, President Anastasiades underlined that Cyprus deplores the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the destructive effects of a full-fledged war in Europe.

In a tweet, he said, “We deplore the Russian invasion that violates Ukrainian territorial integrity & sovereignty.  Full-fledged war will be devastating for Europe and beyond.  Diplomacy is the only way forward.  Cyprus stands in solidarity with Ukraine and its people".