The organisation of the European Conservatives and Reformists Party (ECR) Conference, which took place on Saturday in Nicosia, has been promoted for some time by ELAM and was something that the Cypriot far-right party had invested in.
The model of the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her party, which managed to gain power in Italy and has a leading role among European conservatives, serves as a blueprint for ELAM.
Building upon this model and aiming to capitalise on the momentum it seems to have gained in Cypriot society, the main topic highlighted was immigration.
Yesterday’s conference echoed the slogans commonly used by other conservative parties in Europe, essentially criticising the European Union itself.
“Decisions cannot be made in Brussels based solely on the interests of a few states, neglecting the rest,” said ELAM’s president, Christos Christou, at the Conference.
According to a related announcement, the president of ELAM also mentioned that not far from the conference venue lies “occupied Cyprus, the last semi-occupied European country.”
Furthermore, he referred to the example of the Meloni government in Italy regarding the handling of illegal immigration.
In ELAM’s statement, it is added that the Member of the European Parliament and ECR member in Italy, Carlo Fidanza, told ELAM, “We expect you in the new European Parliament. As ELAM, we want you to elect and send your own representative to the ECR.”
Subsequently, Antonio Giordano, a Member of Parliament and General Secretary of ECR in Italy, welcomed ELAM to the ECR and praised the struggles of the Cypriot people and the Republic of Cyprus.
According to the announcement, Giordano expressed his concern about the significant burden placed on Cyprus due to its geographical position regarding immigration.
He expressed his satisfaction with the organisation of the ECR conference in Nicosia, stating that it would be repeated.
Italy’s Deputy Defence Minister, Isabella Rauti, expressed her admiration and support for the struggling people of Cyprus and their struggles, the announcement adds.
Moreover, it is mentioned that all speakers emphasised the importance for all EU member states to remain united and in solidarity with each other, respecting each other’s national values and identity.
They discussed challenges facing Europe, such as immigration.
They also discussed energy issues, challenges of the new era, and expressed their dissatisfaction with the situation in Cyprus, declaring unwavering support for the Cypriot people.
According to the announcement, delegations from 22 countries participated in the Conference, including the ruling party of Italy, the largest party in Poland, the “largest patriotic” party in the Czech Republic, the co-governing party in Finland, as well as high-ranking representatives and officials from France, Israel, Spain, Latvia, Romania, Sweden, Belgium, Hungary, Iceland, Portugal, Croatia, Ukraine, Germany, the USA, Bulgaria, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and other countries.
Sizopoulos: Genocidal plans are brewing
Today, as in 1974, we face critical situations with “genocidal plans brewing,” said the President of EDEK, Marinos Sizopoulos, speaking at the memorial service of the resistance hero, Kikos Fotiou, murdered by EOKA B members in April 1973.
Marinos Sizopoulos, in his speech, referred to the dramatic period before the coup, emphasising that “the 15th and 20th of July 1974 were not two random events but the culmination of a decade-long conspiracy aimed at removing Makarios, overthrowing the Republic of Cyprus, and imposing partition.”
That is why, he said, EDEK insists that the Cyprus issue is not a matter of a bi-communal settlement but an international problem of invasion, ongoing occupation, and illegal settlement.
“In the name of the thousands of known and unknown heroes of Cypriot Freedom, we must fight for a democratic solution for our people that guarantees security for future generations, where all legal residents of the Republic of Cyprus enjoy equal rights without discrimination, ethnic or religious divisions, with the immediate termination of outdated guarantees and the complete withdrawal of all foreign troops,” he said, adding that the possibility of third countries, especially Turkey, exercising guardianship over the state should be completely ruled out.
