A serious negative development for Cyprus has occurred in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, following the approval of Dora Bakoyannis’ recommendation for Kosovo to become a member.
This development could set a precedent for Cyprus as well. The plenary of the Parliamentary Assembly approved Bakoyannis’ Report yesterday, and the issue will now be brought before the ministers. However, it is unlikely that the outcome will be overturned.
This issue, following the surprising turn by the rapporteur and her proposal for Kosovo, which, it should be noted, is not a United Nations member state, has caused disturbances and reactions, mainly from Cyprus, but also from Serbia and several other states that will be affected.
This development is expected to affect the Republic of Cyprus and is further expected to be fully exploited by the administration of the occupied territories.
Both Kosovars and Turkish Cypriots have observer status in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The Kosovars will become members once approved by the ministers.
It is noted that before the change by the rapporteur, conditions and terms were set for Kosovo’s acceptance into the Parliamentary Assembly. These conditions were partially met.
For the record, the two representatives of Cyprus, Giorgos Loukaides of AKEL and Christiana Erotokritou of DIKO, voted against the Report, putting up a fight to prevent its adoption, as did Nina Kasimati (SYRIZA) from the Greek side.
Abstaining were Alexis Tsipras and Giorgos Papandreou.
The rest of the Greek delegation, coming from New Democracy, voted in favour following Bakoyannis. The report was passed with 131 votes in favour, 29 against, and 11 abstentions.
It should be mentioned that Communist Party of Greece MP Liana Kanelli, absent for health reasons, sent a letter noting that since the vote “is of great importance for my party and myself, record my refusal, i.e., AGAINST in the vote, please replace me only with a substitute colleague who will have the same negative vote as Ms. Kasimati assured me. If for any reason it is not possible, leave my position vacant so as not to alter my negative vote.”
It should also be noted that Bakoyannis and the Greek delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe had recently visited Cyprus and had discussions with both the government and the Parliament.
During these discussions, different approaches were confirmed.
It is clear that this development will create a precedent with the secessionist entity, the administration of the occupied territories, in Cyprus. Particularly at a time when Ankara has intensified efforts for the occupied territories to receive international recognition.
