28/01/2015 08:52
The Republic of Cyprus expressed discontent about the process followed yesterday by the European Commission in relation to the statement on imposing new sanctions against Russia, according to government spokesman, Nicos Christodoulides.
The reaction of the new Greek government was similar and this was the first diplomatic act immediately after yesterday's sworn in.
Mr. Christodoulides, who spoke on the state radio this morning, explained that what happened yesterday was to give a deadline of three to four hours to the member-states to state their view on a statement prepared by the EU President and this was released to one person only.
Many countries, said the spokesman, did not have the opportunity to comment on the text so it was published as a statement of the Heads of State.
"In the case of Cyprus," he added, "the statement was sent to the Director of the Office of President of the Republic, while in the past the recipients were the representative of Cyprus to the EU and the partner of the permanent representative”.
"In this case they did not follow the legal procedures, and therefore, the Cypriot government has expressed concern about the process followed”, the spokesman noted.
He stressed that the Cyprus government raised its concerns not only to the President of the European Commission, but also to all heads of the diplomatic offices of the 28 heads of state.
We pointed out that the process for such serious issues was not correct as many member-states - Cyprus too - did not have the opportunity to examine the statement”, he said.
"The time taken and the procedure followed for such a serious statement are not correct”, he added.
"Such statements”, the spokesman noted, “are usually made after the European Council, when there is a meeting of the Heads of State, an extensive discussion is held and a joint statement is issued".
He said the issue will be discussed at today's meeting of the permanent representatives in Brussels, ahead of tomorrow's meeting of the European Council.
Mr. Christodoulides expressed the view that the possibility of new sanctions against Russia is distant at this stage.
This, he said, will need the decision of the European Council.
"In light of the objections of several member states, including the Republic of Cyprus, we do not think that is something that will be adopted tomorrow”, he explained.
"Cyprus and other EU member states believe that the right way to address this crisis is by following a diplomatic route”.
"So far, sanctions did not bring the expected result and the issue should be discussed at both foreign ministers and later Heads of State level before taking any decisions”.
Asked how the Cypriot government responded as soon as the Director of the President's office received the statement, the government spokesman explained that during the time limit given by the EU, President Anastasiades and he were aboard a flight to Saudi Arabia and until an answer is given to this framework of 3- 4 hours, the time had run out.
The reaction of the new Greek government was similar and this was the first diplomatic act immediately after yesterday's sworn in.
Mr. Christodoulides, who spoke on the state radio this morning, explained that what happened yesterday was to give a deadline of three to four hours to the member-states to state their view on a statement prepared by the EU President and this was released to one person only.
Many countries, said the spokesman, did not have the opportunity to comment on the text so it was published as a statement of the Heads of State.
"In the case of Cyprus," he added, "the statement was sent to the Director of the Office of President of the Republic, while in the past the recipients were the representative of Cyprus to the EU and the partner of the permanent representative”.
"In this case they did not follow the legal procedures, and therefore, the Cypriot government has expressed concern about the process followed”, the spokesman noted.
He stressed that the Cyprus government raised its concerns not only to the President of the European Commission, but also to all heads of the diplomatic offices of the 28 heads of state.
We pointed out that the process for such serious issues was not correct as many member-states - Cyprus too - did not have the opportunity to examine the statement”, he said.
"The time taken and the procedure followed for such a serious statement are not correct”, he added.
"Such statements”, the spokesman noted, “are usually made after the European Council, when there is a meeting of the Heads of State, an extensive discussion is held and a joint statement is issued".
He said the issue will be discussed at today's meeting of the permanent representatives in Brussels, ahead of tomorrow's meeting of the European Council.
Mr. Christodoulides expressed the view that the possibility of new sanctions against Russia is distant at this stage.
This, he said, will need the decision of the European Council.
"In light of the objections of several member states, including the Republic of Cyprus, we do not think that is something that will be adopted tomorrow”, he explained.
"Cyprus and other EU member states believe that the right way to address this crisis is by following a diplomatic route”.
"So far, sanctions did not bring the expected result and the issue should be discussed at both foreign ministers and later Heads of State level before taking any decisions”.
Asked how the Cypriot government responded as soon as the Director of the President's office received the statement, the government spokesman explained that during the time limit given by the EU, President Anastasiades and he were aboard a flight to Saudi Arabia and until an answer is given to this framework of 3- 4 hours, the time had run out.
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