Safeguarding peace and stability in the East Mediterranean Sea

Motion for a resolution | Doc. 15160 | 05 October 2020

Signatories:

Ms Theodora BAKOYANNIS, Greece, EPP/CD ; Mr Duncan BAKER, United Kingdom, EC/DA ; Ms Petra BAYR, Austria, SOC ; Ms Maryvonne BLONDIN, France, SOC ; Mr Anastasios CHATZIVASILEIOU, Greece, EPP/CD ; Ms Marie-Christine DALLOZ, France, EPP/CD ; Ms Andrea EDER-GITSCHTHALER, Austria, EPP/CD ; Mr Constantinos EFSTATHIOU, Cyprus, SOC ; Ms Christiana EROTOKRITOU, Cyprus, SOC ; Mr Sokratis FAMELLOS, Greece, UEL ; Mr Bernard FOURNIER, France, EPP/CD ; Sir Roger GALE, United Kingdom, EC/DA ; Ms Gabriela HEINRICH, Germany, SOC ; Mr Dimitrios KAIRIDIS, Greece, EPP/CD ; Ms Marietta KARAMANLI, France, SOC ; Mr Georgios KATROUGKALOS, Greece, UEL ; Mr Reinhold LOPATKA, Austria, EPP/CD ; Mr George LOUCAIDES, Cyprus, UEL ; Ms Alexandra LOUIS, France, ALDE ; Mr Jacques MAIRE, France, ALDE ; Mr Ulrich OEHME, Germany, EC/DA ; Mr George PAPANDREOU, Greece, SOC ; Ms Foteini PIPILI, Greece, EPP/CD ; Mr Frédéric REISS, France, EPP/CD ; Mr Nicos TORNARITIS, Cyprus, EPP/CD ; Mr Alexandros TRIANTAFYLLIDIS, Greece, UEL ; Ms Nicole TRISSE, France, ALDE ; Mr André VALLINI, France, SOC ; Mr Tobias ZECH, Germany, EPP/CD ; Ms Naira ZOHRABYAN, Armenia, EC/DA

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it.

In the past year, tensions in the East Mediterranean Sea have been rising fast. This follows an overall destabilisation of the area, from the migration crisis to the civil war in Syria, Iraq, and Libya, endangering the balances in the Mediterranean region.

The current escalations of rhetoric and actions in the East Mediterranean Sea have created a worrisome and dangerous situation. Turkey is threatening Greece and Cyprus with war on a daily basis, violating fundamental rules of international law. Tensions between member States of the Council of Europe are mounting rapidly.

The Council of Europe stands for and is mandated to preserve stability, democracy, freedom and above all the rule of law. It is unthinkable for the Council to remain idle when such an aggravating situation is unfolding in its bay, amongst its member States. This is not about a spat between two or three countries. It’s about peace; it’s about respecting the rule of law.

The Parliamentary Assembly, as an objective observer, should closely monitor and evaluate the situation and act by providing a safe space for peace and diplomacy to prevail. Safeguarding peace and stability must remain the priority of all member States of the Council of Europe.