The European Parliament voted by a large majority to adopt the scathing report by Natso Sanchez Amor, a Spanish Member of the European Parliament from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), on Turkey’s progress. The report documents numerous violations of the rule of law, human rights, international law, and democratic principles, including the imprisonment of political opponents and journalists, as well as the displacement and persecution of dissidents. Particular mention is made of Ankara’s provocations against Greece and Cyprus, including the military occupation of Cyprus, the bill on the “Blue Homeland,” and the property rights of Constantinopolitans, following amendments proposed by PASOK.
In the heated debate that preceded the vote, PASOK MEP and member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Nikolas Farantouris, spoke of an “unprecedented international paradox, a country knocking on the EU’s door, asking to join the customs union and Europe’s security and defense framework, while at the same time refusing to recognize one of its member states and threatening another with war.”
Nikolas Farantouris called for “constant and unequivocal condemnation” from both the European Parliament and the other EU institutions.
Message to Athens
In remarks made after the vote, Nikolas Farantouris stated that “the condemnation of the provocations by the authoritarian regime in Ankara must also give Athens pause for thought. The Greek government has recklessly invested in appeasement without any return.
A different strategy is needed—one characterized by openness, proactive diplomacy, and intervention in support of peace and international law, with a robust and assertive presence in international organizations and by leveraging the comparative advantages of Hellenism,” concluded the PASOK MEP.