In light of the experience of the current crisis and the assistance and support to Cyprus, a discussion and preparatory work can be carried out to establish a mechanism so that a response under Article 42(7) I can be ready for whatever each member state may need, a senior government source said.
Article 42(7) of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) is a mutual defence clause obliging member states to provide aid and assistance by all means in their power to a fellow member experiencing armed aggression on its territory. It is a binding commitment, though it respects the neutrality of certain members and complements NATO commitments
The source also spoke to CNA about steps towards Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot community on behalf of the European Commission, in order to implement what has been agreed for the prevention of Foot-and-Mouth disease, following the meeting of President Nikos Christodoulides with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on Wednesday in Brussels.
These steps, the source emphasises, must be implemented to prevent the re-emergence of the FMD disease, as according to the data, Turkey has the highest rate of increase in cases of the virus.
Regarding the measures, these will not concern state aid, but co-financing from the European Commission, in order to address all stages of the disease, starting from vaccination, and moving on to the culling of infected herds, as well as the reactivation of the sector.
With regard to the non-activation of Article 42(7) of the mutual assistance clause on behalf of Cyprus, it is stressed that it has not been activated, and if it is deemed necessary to do so, a specific mechanism must be defined.
Assistance to Cyprus came following contacts at a bilateral level between Cyprus and the member states that provided support, while both the response and speed were considered very positive, taking into account that this constitutes a tangible act of solidarity.
It is noted, however, that in light of the experience of the current crisis, a discussion and preparatory work can be carried out to establish a mechanism, a plan, so that a response under Article 42(7) I can be ready for whatever each member state may need.
According to the government source, the President of the EU Commission had a very positive response to the above, while her decisive role in solidarity at the early steps of the crisis was also highlighted.
(Source: CNA)
