The Republic of Cyprus is facing an increase in the number of migrants arriving on its soil.
According to Ioannis Kasoulides, these migrants, coming from sub-Saharan Africa, "officially travel from their country of origin to Istanbul, from Istanbul to the occupied airport of Cyprus from where they are guided to the free regions of the Republic" .
Added to these are the refugees arriving by boat across the Mediterranean.
The Cypriot Minister of the Interior has also signed with his Italian and Maltese counterparts, as well as the Greek Minister for Migration, a text denouncing a migratory system which weighs too heavily on these countries of first arrival.
He claims that each State which grants a flag to a humanitarian boat, takes care of the migrants rescued by this NGO.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs dissociates himself from it, affirming that he is not certain that "the official position of Cyprus which has been expressed by the Minister of the Interior is the official policy of my government".
He also welcomes the efforts of France, during its presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), to move forward "towards the solidarity of European countries concerning these arrivals", as well as "the decision to relocate a certain number migrants" and the positions of France and Germany, each "ready to welcome 1,000 or 1,500 of these migrants".
Russian gas: the hope of a change of Hungarian position
To dry up funding for Russia's war in Ukraine, the EU planned to ban almost all Russian oil imports on December 5.
Tankers transporting Russian crude oil to third countries can no longer be financed or insured.
Ioannis Kasoulides wants to be confident about the unanimity of the 27 on this issue.
He recalls that "Cyprus, Greece and Malta are maritime forces. Between us, we represent 17% of EU maritime trade. What we lack is the cooperation of countries that are not members of the EU. European Union, such as the Marshall Islands, Panama or Liberia, because if they do not associate with the EU, all these measures will not be able to take effect, and will not have the weight that we hope".
>> To read also: A ceiling price for Russian oil: an impossible equation for Europe?
He also wishes to insist on the fact that his country is supplied with gas and oil "by the international market in general. Therefore, we are not dependent on oil or gas from Russia", he specifies.
Unlike Hungary, which depends 80% on Russian gas and is very ambiguous about its relationship with Moscow, blocking negotiations and any solution for nine months on the gas price cap.
Ioannis Kasoulides refuses to "condemn" Viktor Orban and remains sure "that this problem will be resolved, and resolved means unanimously, because there is no other way", he insists.
He hopes that Hungary, which is facing the freezing of its EU funding for failure to respect the rule of law, "will have a change of position by the time the decision is taken" on this question.
A historical, political and territorial dispute
During drilling off the Cypriot coast, a very large gas deposit was discovered by the companies Total and Eni.
Neighboring countries are in favor of joint exploitation, except Turkey, which occupies the northern part of the island and sends frigates to the Mediterranean to contest territorial waters.
Ioannis Kasoulides "hopes that EU member countries will encourage these two companies to start all the infrastructure to transfer gas to Europe as soon as possible - and as soon as possible, in my opinion, it can be by two years", he specifies, speaking "in a determined way with Turkey to make it understand that the priority is not the political differences that exist between Turkey and Cyprus,
Concerning precisely these political differences with Turkey, Ioannis Kasoulides expresses strong regrets: "I tried to find means for a political solution of the occupation of part of my country by Turkey. I am among the moderates who are trying to find a solution. This has not been the case. Now you see what is the Turkish position expressed by President Erdogan: he talks about a solution of two countries, two parties, with separate sovereignty, before that not be at the table in any negotiation. This is not acceptable and will never be acceptable. And that's me saying it, a moderate who wants a solution."
"There are no more Russian oligarchs in Cyprus"
Cyprus has long been a benevolent haven for Russian oligarchs, who could benefit from golden passports until 2020. Under pressure from Brussels, Cyprus abandoned these practices.
But the Court of Auditors accuses the Minister of the Interior of having closed his eyes to the abuses, and Europe plans to sanction the circumvention of the financial sanctions taken against the Russian oligarchs.
Ioannis Kasoulides assures that "any story with the golden passports is over. There are no more Russian oligarchs in Cyprus. Cyprus is now a credible and solid European partner" because "the events of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia offered us this possibility – which we applied unanimously with our partners – to turn the page on relations with Russia, whatever they may be.
He reaffirms his country's support for Ukraine, because of the "particular sensitivity to the issues of the attack on territorial integrity, sovereignty, non-violation of borders and of course the annexation" of the Republic of Cyprus.
Program prepared by Sophie Samaille, Perrine Desplats and Isabelle Romero.
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