The current situation in Ukraine constitutes primarily a challenge for the European and the world security with serious repercussions, among others, on the energy and food security, as well as on the Ukrainian people, who are, inter alia, experiencing the consequences of becoming refugees, Cyprus House President, Annita Demetriou, said speaking during the Conference of Speakers of the European Union Parliaments (EUSC) that began on Monday in Prague. 

According to a House press release, in her intervention on the issue of the Russian offensive against Ukraine and the EU reaction within the broader geopolitical framework, the House President said that the EU continues to stand in a steadfast way by Ukraine, as more than one year has passed since the launch of the Russian invasion of the country.

She underlined the similarities of the Russian invasion of Ukraine with the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974, noting that advocating the international law dictates the undertaking of initiatives with a view to create the necessary conditions for the resumption of the talks aiming at finding a just, functional and viable solution in compliance with the UN Security Council resolutions and the EU principles and values. In this framework, Demetriou added, the EU support is necessary. 

Referring to the issue of Ukraine, Demetriou noted that the House of Representatives adopted from the very first moment a resolution denouncing the invasion, supported giving to Ukraine the status of a candidate country for EU membership and, contrary to its neighbouring countries, fully aligned with the imposed sanctions. 

The House President underlined that it is important for the policy of sanctions by all EU countries and all associated and candidate for membership countries to be maintained with commitment and consistency.

She said that Ukraine, its reconstruction and the support to its energy sector continue to constitute a high priority for the EU. Moreover she underlined that the EU must diplomatically get more active so that the war is terminated and the international law and the European principles and values in Ukraine and in Europe in general are restored. 

According to the press release, Demetriou had on the sidelines of the Conference meetings with the Speakers of the parliaments of Serbia, Georgia and Denmark, Vladimir Orlić, Shalva Papuashvili and Søren Gade Jensen.

During the meeting with Orlić the two sides reaffirmed the excellent relations between Cyprus and Serbia and their parliaments, as well as their common commitment to the democratic principles and values and the rule of law. Moreover Demetriou expressed her support to Serbia's EU accession course and to the continuation and fulfillment of the process, while noting that Cyprus has not recognized the unilaterally declared sovereignty of Kosovo.

During the meeting with Papuashvili , the warm and friendly relations between Cyprus and Georgia, which are based on common principles and values,  were reaffirmed. Demetriou expressed the House of Representatives' readiness to contribute to Georgia's accession course as soon as the country gets the status of a candidate for membership country, by providing know-how and probably by signing an MoU. 

During the meeting with Gade Jensen, the two sides discussed issues related to the expansion of cooperation and dialogue at the bilateral level and within the EU and other international organizations framework, in which the parliaments of Cyprus and Denmark participate. Also both sides expressed their will to deepen relations among the two countries with the exchange of visits at the interparliamentary level and by establishing respective Friendship Groups, as an important step towards this direction. 

Demetriou also had the opportunity to brief the Speaker of the Danish parliament on the current situation in the Cyprus problem and the ongoing Turkish provocations in Cyprus, the press release concluded. 

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.