**Title: MEPs Geadis and Mavrides Accuse Turkey of Hybrid Attacks on Cyprus**
Cyprus Mail
In a recent session of the European Parliament held in Strasbourg, Cypriot Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) Costas Mavrides of the Democratic Party (Diko) and Geadis Geadi of the National Popular Front (Elam) voiced strong accusations against Turkey, claiming that the nation has been conducting “hybrid attacks” against Cyprus. Their statements came during a discussion focused on alleged hybrid attacks from Russia on other EU member states.
Mavrides highlighted that hybrid attacks encompass a range of tactics, including cyberattacks, sabotage of critical infrastructure, and the manipulation of migration flows, among others. He emphasized that while Russian hybrid threats pose a significant concern, similar actions have been perpetrated by what he termed the “neo-Ottoman Erdogan regime” against countries in the eastern Mediterranean. He criticized the EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, for not addressing these issues, suggesting that her silence contributes to a lack of unity within the EU and potentially empowers extremist political movements.
Mavrides called for the activation of Article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union, known as the Lisbon Treaty, which outlines a mutual defense clause among EU member states. He argued that for the EU to present a united front against external threats, the clause must be made operational. He expressed concern that the EU's double standards, particularly in its dealings with Turkey, exacerbate the problem.
Geadis echoed Mavrides' sentiments, defining hybrid warfare as a strategy that employs non-military means to destabilize and undermine a state's sovereignty. He pointed to cyberattacks, propaganda, and the exploitation of non-governmental organizations as tactics used in this type of warfare. Geadis also urged the EU to develop a clear roadmap for implementing Article 42.7, stressing the need for immediate and effective application of the mutual defense clause.
In his remarks, Geadis criticized the European Commission's leadership for its perceived closeness to the Turkish government, labeling Turkey a “partner of Europe” despite its history of human rights violations and aggression towards Cyprus. He cautioned Kallas to be mindful of her associations with a state he described as having a “criminal record,” asserting that Turkey's actions constitute a form of hybrid warfare against Cyprus and that it occupies territory belonging to the Republic of Cyprus.
The calls for action from Mavrides and Geadis come in the context of a broader discussion among EU leaders. In April, during a European Council summit in Nicosia, leaders of the EU's 27 member states agreed on the necessity of creating a defense “playbook” to address hybrid threats. However, Cypriot government sources expressed frustration that no significant progress has been made in the decade since the EU's mutual defense clause was last activated, which occurred in response to terrorist attacks in France in November 2015.
As the situation evolves, the discussions in the European Parliament highlight ongoing concerns regarding security and defense within the EU, particularly in relation to the actions of Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean. The statements from Mavrides and Geadis reflect a growing urgency among Cypriot leaders to address perceived threats and ensure the effectiveness of the EU's mutual defense mechanisms.