The absence of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense from a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs—during which the strategic relationship between Cyprus and the prospects for further deepening cooperation, was strongly criticized on Tuesday by the Committee Chair, DISY MP George Karoullas, strongly criticized the decision on Tuesday, announcing that a letter on the matter would be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Speaking to reporters after the session was postponed, Mr. Karoullas, speaking on behalf of the entire Committee, addressed the issue of institutional cooperation and respect, emphasizing that cooperation between the legislative and executive branches is essential.
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“We consider it unacceptable and unthinkable to invite the ministry responsible for Cyprus’s strategic relationship with the United States to the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, and for all the invited guests to attend, except for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense,” he said.
He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had been invited a month and a half earlier as well, but at that time had sent a representative without the presence of the relevant high-ranking official. He also noted that the Ministry had been invited twice to discuss the progress of Cyprus’s accession to the Schengen Area, but had responded that it could not attend due to the minister’s absence abroad.
Mr. Karoullas noted that the Ministry’s absence from House sessions hinders policymaking and the exercise of parliamentary oversight, which, as he said, is mandated by the Constitution.
“We await the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ response, and I call on the Minister to state his position,” he said, adding that the Committee will send a letter immediately to ensure that this situation does not recur.
In closing, he expressed the hope that representatives from the relevant ministries would be present at the Committee’s next meeting.
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