Nicosia (Brussels Morning) – EU Parliament President Metsola visits Cyprus, emphasizes democracy, unity, and EU elections’ significance, warns against extremism, and advocates for a pro-European narrative.
The president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, is in Cyprus for a two-day working visit. On Monday evening, the president was welcomed by President Nikos Christodoulides at the Presidential Palace. Early Tuesday morning Metsola fulfilled with Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot representatives of youth associations from civil society on the European elections, at the EU House. Later on, the EP president visited the House president Annita Demetriou.
In an exclusive discussion with Phileleftheros, the President of the European Parliament notes that the EU is confronting a threat from those who want to demolish what has been built. She argues that the threat comes from both extremes, the left and the right.
Referring to the Cyprus situation, she expresses the European Parliament’s support for the Olgin task and underscores the significance of determining the Cyprus issue, which is not only important for Cyprus but also for the wider region.
She was asked about the importance of the European elections in June. She expressed “I hope so. Democracy cannot be taken for granted. We need to fight for it every day. That is why the next European elections are crucial. We need to protect the European democracy and for doing it I ask all Cypriots, and all the Europeans, to vote and decide on the direction of Europe for the next five years.”
Metsola highlighted that The European Parliament makes a difference by shaping procedures that affect everyday life for everyone in the extents of digital, health, migration, economy, climate, and security, amongst others. In the past years, Parliament have put Europe’s stamp on global geopolitics and Parliament have supported the European way in an ever-changing world.
“We have become more powerful because of the challenges we faced (such as the pandemic and the attack on Ukraine) and not despite them. We have withstood the odds and proven that Europe can offer on the issues that matter to Europeans and that cannot be cracked by any one country alone. We have delivered.
“The European elections bring Europe nearer to us all, as every corner of the EU is represented. It is also the proper moment for every citizen to have their voice and to hold their elected representatives to account. If people do not vote, others will select. In this legislature, we have held the productive European majority together and we must do that again. This is why I am visiting Cyprus: to speak about Europe, to listen to Cypriot people’s situations and expectations, and to convince people to go out and vote.”
Moreover, She was questioned whether the far right is attaining ground. How much is the EU at risk from the strengthening of the far right? Is there a way of opposing the rise of the far right, which is now caught as something different and as a competitor to the old parties?
Metsola contended, “As you mentioned, I see a danger from those who would like to destroy rather than construct or who run campaigns on fear rather than on hope. We need to oppose the extremes, be it from the left or the right. It is easier to propel a populist black-and-white narrative than a productive pro-European narrative.
“But I am convinced that if you oppose the extremist narrative by explaining why judgments are taken and how Europe continues to deliver, then people like to have their say and will come out to vote. In this context, I think that it is only the pro-European centre that can produce and work for the common interest of Europeans.”
