Costas Mavridis, a member of the European Parliament (EP), sharply criticized the silence of the international community over developments in Syria during a speech at the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee. Drawing attention to the continued attacks against ethnic and religious minorities, Mavridis said, “Silence is a mistake, and even amounts to complicity.”
The remarks were made during a session in which the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency were presented. Mavridis recalled that the collapse of the Assad regime had created a historic opportunity for peace and stability, adding that the European Parliament had set out two clear conditions for this period: the protection of minorities, particularly Christians and Kurds, and the rejection of any form of cooperation with jihadist forces.
Mavridis said developments over the past two weeks had undermined these expectations, adding that the attacks on Rojava, the release of ISIS members, and the escalating wave of violence had made the current stance of the European Union increasingly questionable. He said, “This picture makes it imperative for the Cyprus Presidency to engage more closely with the Syria issue.”
Mavridis also addressed Turkey, saying, “We all know that the Erdoğan regime, which occupies European Union territory in Cyprus, is part of this process.” He said Cyprus could not remain silent, describing this as both a moral responsibility and warning that silence would constitute a serious geopolitical mistake.
In response, Cyprus Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos said the European Union had pursued a cautious policy on Syria from the outset. Kombos said the inclusion and protection of minorities remained a core reference point for the European Union, adding that Syria’s geographical proximity to Cyprus would place the issue on the agenda of the Council of the European Union.