President Anastasiades will address the European Parliament's plenary session in Strasbourg today as planned.
Top of the agenda the future of Europe, energy and the Cyprus problem
Last night a lone gunman opened fire at the city’s Christmas market, an incident which resulted in the deaths of at least three people and the injury of twelve.
Strasbourg is one of the two locations, the other one being Brussels, where the European Parliament assembles.
The plenary session brings to the French city the majority of European MPs and a large number of Brussels-based administrative staff.
I express all my sorrow for the victims of the Strasbourg attacks. This Parliament will not be intimidated by terrorist or criminal attacks. Let us move on. We will continue to work and react strengthened by freedom and democracy against terrorist violence.
— Antonio Tajani (@EP_President) 11 December 2018
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Christodoulides and the government spokesman Prodromos Prodromos were also in Strasburg on Tuesday afternoon.
The city center was cordoned off for hours and the European Parliament was on lockdown, with MEPs and officials unable to enter the Parliament building. A large number of Cypriot journalists are in Strasburg to report on the President's speech, everyone reportedly in good health.
I strongly condemn, what appears to have been a terrorist attack at a Christmas market in #Strasbourg. On behalf of the people and the Gov of #Cyprus I extend sincere condolences to the families of the victims as well as our full solidarity to the Gov and the people of #France.
— Nicos Anastasiades (@AnastasiadesCY) 11 December 2018
According to diplomatic sources, Anastasiades will express views about the multiannual financial framework, the common market and EU defense planning. The President will emphasize the active role Cyprus plays in the EU, in the Eastern Mediterranean region and will underline that Cyprus energy plans are beneficial to the EU.
He is also expected to address the Cyprus issue.
The President will also receive questions from MEPs. According to diplomatic sources, questions about the government's citizenship by investment programme are expected, an issue that is of interest to the European Parliament.
Speaking on the future of Europe Anastasiades is expected to underline the need to listen to citizens, emphasizing a more 'anthropocentric model', calling for unity, in issues such as immigration, climate change and Brexit.
