
newsitems
French Culture Minister Pellerin to EuroFora+ on Digital Culture, Media, European Heritage + Values

*Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- Speaking to "EuroFora" at the conclusion of her one Day long 1st visit to Strasbourg's Cultural Actors and Experts, followed by visits to the city's famous, Historic Cathedral, as well as to innovative projects of Digital Culture, new French Minister of Culture, Fleur Pellerin, stressed the importance it has, in her eyes, to Digitalise the immense European Cultural Heritage, while also using Digital and other Modern Tools in order both to Protect and Develop further EU's Cultural model and values :
- In this regard, Replying to a relevant "EuroFora" Question on whether she believed that it was High Time to Digitalise the European Cultural Heritage that she had just seen personally by visiting various Selected ArtWork masterpieces mainly inside Strasbourg's Cathedral but also at nearby Rohan Palace's Museum (reportedly used even by Napoleon Bonaparte in the Past, for his Central-Eastern Europe campaigns), she Replied positively :

- "Yes ! Yes, indeed, Absolutely ! Naturally...", exclaimed Minister Fleur Pellerin, reacting spontaneously to "EuroFora"s above-mentioned question.
Already former Minister for Digital Society until recently, as she reminded Today in Strasbourg, Fleur Pellerin is also in charge, now, of On-line Media and Web Publishers, as new Minister of Culture, who stressed her interest for moving closer to Citizens in a Democratic way which also motivates them to main European values, (Comp. Infra).
- The point is not only to protect a status-quo, but also to innovate and create something new to add, underlined earlier Fleur Pellerin, as a matter of general principle, while EU has notoriously chosen Digital Society as a main area to Boost via Investments for Growth via Competitive Innovation.

Historic Strasbourg's Cathedral offered Today some excellent concrete examples of French Culture Minister's main viewpoints, particularly about European Cultural Heritage's great Historic value, but also Evolving character, thanks to the necessary addition of more or less harmonious Innovations :
+ F.ex., there where Pellerin spend almost half a Day, visiting various projects at Strasbourg's Cathedral, its former and current ArchPriests, Eckert and now Wackenheim, who notoriously have a big experience and like to work, the first on Video and Sculpture, the latter mainly on Music, could, eventually, join usefully forces also with others, (European ARTE TV's recent superb Documentary Film on the History of the Cathedral's Construction obviously enters in this line, etc), in contributing to animate interesting original Digital Creations on this majestic Masterpiece, at the core of the Franco-German heart of Europe, of international fame.
++ Moreover, inter-mixing valuable Ancient and New elements, Strasbourg Cathedral's Stained-Glass Windows generate recently a "Hot" but Interesting Controversy about how best to complete 2 Sainte Catherine Chapel's windows, given the fact that most of that area still arbors several Ancient style Masterpieces, while, on the Contrary, the French State's competent authorities have chosen to add an astonishingly "Modern", and completely Differend Artwork, by Painter Ellena, for the 2 currently Empty Stained-Glass Windows due to be filled soon...

Whatever might be the Value and the Respect due to the Arguments of each side, it's, however, a fact, that, as experienced Chancellor of the ArchBishopric, chanoine Xibaut earlier reminded to "EuroFora", already, the over-Millenary Cathedral of Strasbourg contains, at its Holliest, core area, a landmark and Central Stained Glass Window picturing Christ's Mother, Virgin Mary, with a Circle of 12 Golden Stars at a Blue square, over her Head, which is an faithful reproduction of the European Flag, that had been offered, back during the 1980ies, by the Council of Europe, (adding, later-on, around it a Triple Series of ..Icons, similar to those uses by Traditional and Contemporary Christian Orthodox Church, but not so much by the Christian Catholic Church : a Sign of Prelude for CoE's and after 2004 even EU's PanEuropean Enlargement, pointing towards Unity of all Christians throughout all Europe...
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Mgr Lentz, the Dean of Strasbourg Cathedral's religious Foundation Members, speaking to "EuroFora", reminded the fact that the local Christian Community had erected also Older Religious Buildings at this same spot in the Past, as well as that its most Ancient Stained-Glass Windows were quite Differend from those who followed, and became, later-on, the great Majority of what still exists Today. Showing us the 2 Oldest such Artworks, (the No 1 being Green Paintings inspired by the famous Salomon's Judgement, where the Mythic King had succeeded to find who was the Real Mother of a newborn Child, by proposing, to 2 different persons who claimed both to have an exclusive maternal Right on that Child, to .. cut it into Half and give a Piece to each one of them, until its Real Mother revealed her Love by prefering to leave her entire Child to another woman, if it was the only way for it to Survive and stay Alive -showing real Creator's Love for their Creation to "Live" in Human History, even regardless of Selfish exclusive "Rights", by the way) : These Old Paintings are obviously Differend from the Newer ones, but, nevertheless, somehow, they seem to "fit" Together, as if they were of one and same family. But, for that controversial Project, (Comp. Supra), one may really Wonder whether it might fit harmoniously with the rest, or not, he observed carefuly.

But, both himself and others among Strasbourg Cathedral's team, appeared, even if initially surprized, at the end to rather Agree with "EuroFora"s observation that, in fact, the History of building the Giant Masterpiece hadn't yet arrived to its End, i.e. that it still was a kind of "Cathedrale inachevé", (an unfinished work), given not only that it Lacked a usual 2nd Tower at the Front, but also of any Paintings or Sculptures at all on the Internal Walls of its Highest and most Important Dome, which had also, Exceptionbaly been left empty after its construction, (Comp. relevant Photos), as if it was meant to Mark the Responsibilities for the succesive Generations (including ours) to complete an over-Millenary Collective project located at the Heart of Europe...
Indeed, the already Long History of Strasbourg's Cathedral, which celebrates this year its one Thousand years of age, seems, in fact, to be even more Ancient than what even Experts believed until now, at first sight : As it was officially revealed, indeed, Today, a recent and innovative Analysis of the Archeological Searches that are still going-on, particularly inside the Cathedral's underground Foundations' area, has just discovered a Baptismal Room reportedly build and used already as early as since the 4rth Century B.C., i.e. during a much more Older era : Something which could reveal that the same Christian Community which has succesively built, accrros Centuries, the various Buildings amidst which emerged the Cathedral of nowadays, had, in fact, a much more Ancient and long History of at least ... One and a Half Thousand Years !

- At any case, "it's out of question to let anyone demolish our (EU's) Cultural Model, that it took us so many years to build !", also warned Pellerin.
She was speaking, earlier Today, about her Project to build a rock-solid "European version" of the CopyRight, Royalties, etc. Legal Mechanism, in order to Protect Artistic Creation, without Risking for Authors' Rights to be eventualy .."snatched by a few USA MultiNational Corporations", as she characteristicaly pointed out.
=> For that purpose, she was currently trying to form a Group of EU Countries interested and willing to advance forward in such a direction, including, f.ex., Poland, Italy, Germany, Luxembourg, etc., revealed the French Minister in Strasbourg, well ahead of EU Parliament's forthcoming relevant Debates and Votes.
- Experienced former long-time MEP, Strasbourg's Mayor, and Minister of Culture, Catherine Trautmann, speaking earlier at a Hearing on the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), on the occasion of the 1st visit to EU Parliament of new French Minister of Trade, Matthias Fekl, pointed, particularly, at the fact that "the Cultural Industry, already employs in France more People than the Car Industry !", so that what is really at stake is of great importance.
+ It is moreover so, since Culture also contributes into giving sense to the European project for EU Citizens, the current Need of which became recently obvious after the May 2014 EU Parliament's Elections", new French Culture Minister Pellerin underlined earlier Today, speaking to Strasbourg's Journalists, including "EuroFora".
Significantly, she had initially scheduled to visit, in one same Day, both the Historic Strasbourg's Cathedral and an emerging New cultural pole "the Docks" at the entirely reenovated "Malraux peninsula", including projects such as "Digital Fabric", etc, but time was too short for now...
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So, "Zeitnot" urged this Afternoon Pellerin to sum up things into a nutshell, focusing on what could be their main substance : Just like that Group of Young University Students, funded from EU's "Erasmus" Program, who were Visiting Strasbourg .. just for 1 (one) Day (sic !), in the context of a Week-long Tour of EU's "Blue Banana" central corridor between the Netherlands (their current base for Studies) and Switzerland, crossing throgh Brussels, Luxembourg, Strasbourg, Basel, Munich, and backwards, met by "EuroFora" Today, while waiting for the French Minister's second part of her visit : In the few Time available here, in addition to the "European district" of the City, they had decided to see its World Famous Cathedral, daring even to climb, on feet, its "more than 450 steps Stairway" to the Highest Peak, which gives a superb, eye-catching Bird's eye view over all Strasbourg up to the German "Black Forest" Mountains at the other side of Rhine river, told "EuroFora" one of those Students, who, by an incredible coincidence, was a young person from South Korea, i.e. the country where Fleur Pellerin had been born, before she was adopted by her French Family, benefitting from a good French Education and Culture with a remarkable success, to the point that, now, her way to speak and the views expressed cannot distinguish her from an original French Lady, with a European ambition in the Modern World, despite her beautiful Korean profile...
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Meanwhile, by another Timely coincidence, Ancient History and Post-Modernity, France with the rest of Europe and the World, Traditional and Modern Culture and Values with technological Innovations and Politcs, etc., were also, ostensibly intermixed, both in new French Culture Minister's case and in that of Franco-Greek Music Composer Alexandre Desplats, (from a Greek Mother whose Family escaped from the 1922 Massacre of the Greco-Armenian autochthone Population of the Ancient Greek City of Smyrne, re-named afte the Genocide "Izmir" in nowadays Turkey, before she marries a French Citizen who lived in the US and returned later to Paris), the Winner of a 2015 OSCAR Prize for his Music in the New Film "The Grand Budapest Hotel", just 2 Days before Pellerin visits Strasbourg, (after having also won several French "CESAR" Prizes, as, f.ex. on 2011 for the Music composed in "The Ghost Writer", also supported mainly by German Film-Industry), whose new work, prepared for Wim Wenders' forthcoming film "Everything will be Fine", is scheduled to Open the Next International Film Festival of Berlin, later this year. Another practical exercice on how to articulate "European" and "Global", in nowadays Cultural Creation and Communication...
A particularly delicate exercice when it comes also to Sign the 1st official Agreement on the Cultural Policy of Strasbourg, Headquarters of the PanEuropean CoE and ECHR, host of EU Parliament's full Plenary Sessions each Month, of EUROCORPS, Schengen System's organisation, PanEuropean Audio-Visual Observatory, European TV "ARTE", (etc), as French Minister Pellerin did earlier Today, together with the City's Mayor, Senator Ries, and Prefet Stephane Bouillon, after an exchange of views, this Morning, with two successive gatherings of State's competent services and of various Local Cultural actors. - EU still considers Culture as a mainly National issue, but we are, nevertheless, trying to advance in building a common European Cultural policy, the French Minister pointed out in substance.
(../..)
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("DraftNews", as already send to "EuroFora"s Susbrcibers/Donors, earlier. A more accurate, full Final Version might be published asap).
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French President Hollande vows Protection while Jewish+Christian People+Graves are brutally attacked
*Strasbourg/Sarre Union+/- While blatant attempts to Destabilize France and all Europe are multiplying, including by a growing series of Brutal and often Deadly Attacks mainly against Jewish and Christian targets, (People, Graveyards and Monuments, etc), both inside Europe and at its Borders, French President Hollande, speaking at nearby Sarre-Union's vandalized Jewish Graveyard, where more than 250 Graves were reportedly desecrated, vowed to Protect all potential Victims Targetted by Violent Aggressors, and urged for National, European and International Action, particularly as far as it concerns Killings by Extremist Islamist Terrorists linked to ISIL, as recently in Paris, Belgium, Libya, Copenhagen, etc, (See further Infra).

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The event surfaced, indeed, at the aftermath of Copenhagen Deadly Shootings by an ISIL'-related Extremist Islamist Terrorist, who killed a Film-maker at a Public Conference on Free Speech in hommage of the Journalists and simple People killed in Paris just 1 Month ago, followed by a Guard of a Synagogue, but also just 2 Days since the Cold-Blood Mass Murder of 21 Christians from Egypt, for the first time at the Mediterranean Coast facing Europe from Libya, by ISIL's atrocious BeHeaders Terrorists, in addition to EU Parliament's recent Debate and Vote in Strasbourg on a quasi-Unanimous Resolution strongly condemning the blatant Disrespect shown by Turkey vis a vis Mass Graves of Missing People at the Occupied Territories of Cyprus, whose remains were secretly thrown at an unknown location, leaving only a few Bones behind, (Comp. : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/euparliamentslamsturkishobstructiononcyprusmissingpeople.html ).

+ The overall picture was completed, later Today, when experienced former EU affairs Minister and current JHA Minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, (Comp. several earlier Statements by Cazeneuve in Reply to various "EuroFora"s Questions at this website), added a strong denonciation also of several other Desecrations of Christian Graveyards, found these same Days at various other locations near France's international Borders (at the South/Pyrenees, and particularly at the West-Normandy : "Tracy-sur-Mer", etc), where Vandals had even "Moved away Dozens of Christian Crosses or Turned them Upside Down". "Everything will be done in order to Identify, Prosecute and Bring to Justice those Responsible for these aufull acts, which trample underfeet our Values and the Respect which safeguard our Living-Together", he stressed this Evening at an Official Communiqué.

Meanwhile, another Terrorist armed with a big Knife had just aggressed, stubbed and Wounded 3 French Soldiers who guarded a Jewish building at Nice, South-Eastern France,..
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- In front of such obvious Violent and Horrible Attempts to Destroy Europe's Peaceful Cultural Cohesion and Values, Strasbourg's Grand Rabbin René Gutman Symbolically chose to denounce from the outset, in a short speech welcoming the French President, First of all the fact that even an Historic Monument decicated to the People who had been Deported to the NAZI Concentration Camps (including a Youngster of just 18 Years then), with the message : "Don't Forget !", was also Damaged by a group of vandals at Sarre Union. - "Today, nobody can be Saved without the Others", Rabbin Gutman topicaly pointed out.
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+ Earlier this week, the French President officially "Condemned, with the utmost firmness, the Brutal Murder of 21 Egyptian Citizens, ISIL's Hostages in Libya", and "Denounced the call to Murder and the Religious Hate by the Terrorists", while also "expressing France's Commitment, as well as of its Allies, to Fight against that Group".
The Deadly Extremist Islamic Terrorism of coward BeHeaders chose to Kill Poor Immigrant Workers, all of them Christians, as an Expert (Professor Philippe Breton, specialist for Media and Politics at Strasbourg University's Journalism center), reminded, during a Local/Regional TV NewsReport by France3/Alsace on the occasion of the Sarre-Union attack against a Jewish Graveyard, (topically interlinking Europe's Christian-Jewish Historic Cultural Roots : An obvious point curiously skiped at some official communiqués, whose publishd version doesn't even mention the notorious Fact that ISIL had explicitly chosen to kill Christian civilians)...
- Meanwhile, at a Phone contact with Egyptian President Abdelfattah Alsissi, Hollande, (who had earlier "Condemned with the utmost severity the Brutal Murder of 21 Egyptians, Hostages of ISIL, in Libya", "Denouncing the Terrorists' Calls for Murder and for Religious Hate", as well as "reminding the Determination of France's and its Allies to Fight against that Group"), "reiterated his Solidarity", and they both "underlined the importance for UNO's SC to meet in order to allow to the International Community to take New Measures to Face the Danger" of "ISIL" operations' Extension". A move for which, in addition to US President Obama, it's also Russian President Putin's close ally, Duma's Chairman Naryshkin, who clearly supported, recently at the CoE in Strasbourg, in reply to a relevant "EuroFora"s Question, (See : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/dumapresidentforcoeunityagainstislamistterrorism.html ).
+ "Terrorists chose the "Same Targets", stressed just a few Days earlier President Hollande, speaking of the Copenhagen Deadly Shootings, while also "expressing France's Solidarity vis a vis the Danish People" : Because "this too was Similar to what had been prepared earlier in France : 1st at a Cultural Centre, where was debated Freedom of Expression, a Film-maker was killed, and afterwards Policemen were hit, because they were Protecting a Synagogue. : One and same Terrorist wanted to strike against a place where Jews went to Pray", he observed.

=> - Thus, Today in Europe, "there is a Link between France and Denmark, even if not a Network, a same Harassment by Terrorists to attack what we represent, our Values : that of Liberty, of Law, of the Protection that every Citizen, whatever his/her Religion might be, should find. Denmark or France, are Today the same Nations, which feel the same sorrows, the Same Tragedy, but also the same Will to Resist, Fight, and finally Win against Terrorism", the French President stressed.
+ Thus, immediately after he was informed about the "Attack which occured .. in Copenhagen, at the conclusion of a Meeting on Islamism and Freedom of Expression, with the participation of the French Ambassador", he also "expressed to the Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt France's full Solidarity in this drama", and asked JHA Minister Cazeneuve to visit Copenhagen asap, according to an Official Press Communiqué from the Presidential Elysee Palace.
- "The Republic will prove to be Stronger than Hate", extended wider Today, Hollande, symbolicaly speaking at a Village named "Sarre-UNION", close to the Franco-German Border.

- The Republican State of Law "will Defend you, with all its Forces", ensured the French President to all those Targetted by Violent Aggressors, because, "through you, it's the Republic that is Threatened, its Values, its Promisses", as he stressed in front of Strasbourg Region Alsace's Jewish Community, which had notoriously suffered during the 2nd World War, (largely supported now by almost all the Political Spectrum of the Country and its main Religions' representatives, including, f.ex., here, the Christian Catholic ArchiBishop of Strasbourg, Mgr. Gralet, together wiith Grand Rebbin Gutman, etc).

This Historic Graveyard that had already faced previous Attacks in the Past, (f.ex. "on 1998 and 2001", as he reminded), "but Never before with such Relentless, such an Intensity, such a Frenzy", as he pointed out, Denouncing a "Systematic Destruction" of Graves, "as if an Army passed by", just a few Days after and EU Parliament's Debate and quasi-Unanimous Resolution voted in Strasbourg on a similar Drama, reportedly involving the Turkish Army elsewhere in the EU : Comp. Supra).

- In fact, "Desecrate (Dead People's resting places) is equivalent to Insulting All Religions, and to sully the Republic(an)" State of Law. Because "our Republic canNot accept Hate", but is the "Respect due to the Rule of Law, and the Respect to Dead People, and to their Memory. Attack a Graveyard is not only attack the Dead but also the People who are Alive, in the intimate relationship that they cultivate with their beloved Parents who Disappeared", as a matter of General Principle.
- And, both in this, and all other cases of various recent Brutal Attacks with Religious Targets (including, naturally, some Muslim monuments reportedly targetted otherwise previously), ""All acts of Hate concern us All", Hollande stressed moreover Today, launching a call for "a Spirit of Solidarity, Unity", and "Consiousness of the Fight that we have to win", as he said in Conclusion.
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("DraftNews", as already send to "EuroFora"s Susbrcibers/Donors, earlier. A more accurate, full Final Version might be published asap).
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+Texts of all Ukraine Agreements leading to Minsk Summit Germany-France-Ukraine-Russia Peace deal

*Strasbourg/- On the occasion of the Entry into Force, Today, Anniversary of "Patrons of Europe" Christian saints Cyrille and Method (from the 9th Century AC), of the "Historic", (as EU's High Representative for External Action Federica Mogherini stressed earlier at EU Parliament in Strasbourg), and most comprehensive ever sustainable Cease-Fire and Peace process Agreements for Ukraine, decided at the Highest Political level in a Minsk Summit of Heads of State/Government from Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia, (Merkel, Hollande, Poroshenko and Putin), working in parallel with the "Group of Contact",which includes the Donettsk/Luhansk Autonomists, "EuroFora" publishes the Full Texts of All Agreements reached by the two sides of the Ukranian Conflict, with an active involvement of the European/PanEuropean/International Community, from the beginning until Now.
The main reason is the Fact that, as experienced former President of the Biggest Political Group in CoE's PanEuropean Parliamentary Assembly (PACE), and current President of "Novae Terrae" Foundatioh, Italian politician Luca Volonté, strongly Denounced, last January 2015 in Strasbourg, during a Top-level meeting and debate between Leaders of various Political Groups and mainstream MEPs of the PACE, including Russian Duma's President Naryshkin, "most People still Ignore even the main points of what has been agreed on Ukraine".
But also because the latest Minsk Summit's compromise Deals of 11 February 2015, (immediately welcomed and endorsed also by the EU Heads of State/Government's Summit in Brussels Next Day, on February 12), are, in great part, destinated to Facilitate the full Implementation of an Initial, 5 September 2014 Minsk Agreement between the two direct(ly involved sides, as well as to help extend them in practice towards a Peaceful Solution of the Ukranian Conflict at the Horizon in the foreseable Future.
Among the International Actors involved in 4 main Documents trying to broker a Compromise Deal in Ukraine, the 1st was drafted without USA's direct presence (and a Delay of the Russian Representative, hindered to arrive on Time, before Violent Clashes smashed that Deal), but with the participation of 3 Foreign Ministers from EU Countries (Germany, France and Poland), during the Night of 20 to 21 February 2014 in Kiev. But both USA and Russia were directly present in the drafting of the 2nd such Text, which was agreed on April 17, 2017, in Geneva, together with EU's High Representative Ashton and the Ukranian Government, at Foreign Ministers' level. But the most recent ones : Those of the New Series of Deals concluded at Minsk, in Bielorussia, on September 2014 and now on February 2015, were preceded and accompagnied by an active EU Diplomacy via its Franco-German core, at first Indirectly (f.ex. by Phone-calls, Letters, Tele-Conferences, separate Meetings, etc., between Heads of State/Government) on September 2014, and now even with the Direct, Personal involvement of Heads of State/Government from France, Germany, Ukraine and Russia, (the so-called "Normandy Format", labelled so since the 1st Putin - Poroshenko meeting, prepared by Merkel and hosted by Hollande in France since early July) 2014) on February 2015. Talks under OSCE auspices and OSCE Monitoring is another New Parameter, from Summer 2014 up to this Winter 2015. However, the USA Authorities were always regularly consulted and/or even directly met beforehand.
The participation of the Opposition's leaders (Not represented then at the Parliament), was reportedly Direct and Full, almost at a similar level with then Ukranian President Yanukovich (accused to be rather pro-Russian), only in the 1st, February 2014 Agreement at Kiev, which was immediately topled by an outburst of exceptional Deadly Violence in unclear circumstances. But, on the Contrary, the Opposition (formed afterwards by Russian-speaking People at the Autonomist Ligansk/Luhansk Regions, etc) was almost entirely Absent at the 2nd Deal, on April 2014 at Geneva. However, since the "Minsk" Series of Agreements on September 2014 and February 2015 (Comp. Supra), Opposition's leaders are included in a special "Group of Contact" under OSCE auspices, Indirectly monitored and/or supported by the Main State Actors (particulary Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany), even if they didn't have, until now, any Kiev Government's Official in front of them for any Direct Negotiations, Kiev being represented only by a retired, former President and recently a Humanitarian NGO activist, (something which should, apparently, Change after the latest, February 2015 Minsk Agreement : See Infra).
But a "Constant" cutting through all those 4 Peace Deal Texts is the Fact that, apparently, regardless of the political color of the various successive Governments in Kiev, it has always been, until now, only when those in Power suffer a Setback in the Ukranian Conflict, after events which reveal a much Stronger Opposition than expected, that a New Round of Peace Negotiations starts :
This happened already during the Last Days of former President Yanukovich's reign, back on February 2014, (who even accused the then pro-USA Opposition to exploit the Time of Talks in order to prepare a "Putch"), but also, later-on, when that former Opposition's leaders had taken over the Government at Kiev, but faced a Popular Referendum in Crimea for "ReUnification" with Russia, as well as an increasing Wave of convergent Popular Uprisings accross the rest of South-Eastern Ukraine Regions where local People were holding Mass Ralies and taking over, one after the other, almost all the Local/Regional Authorities in a Fast-Enlarging pro-Autonomy movement (which almost Immitated Maidan Square Demonstrators' practical Methods on the spot), on April 2014, in reaction to what they had denounced earlier as a "Putch" in Kiev. After many Months of Kiev's Military's Deadly attacks against Autonomist Regions of Lugansk/Luhansk, with a Big Number of Civilian Victims, it's notoriously a sudden "U-Turn" in the Armed Clashes, since August 24, when Autonomists' Militia Counter-Attacked after a Change of Leadership and Methods, Winning Ground throughout many Villages, sweeping fast several areas until Azov's Sea, and arriving up to Surround Mariupol's strategic Seaport from all sides, that Kiev's Authorities immediately seeked a Cease-Fire which was Agreed on September 5, 2014, at Minsk, (and further detailed there on September 19). This time, the Cease-Fire stood, more or less, until Kiev's Goverment openly Denounced the September 2014 Agreements from November 2014, by curiously claiming that Donetsk-Luhansk's Autonomists shouldn't have organized free Elections to choose their Political Leadership, Cancelled the only Measure it had taken according to that Agreement, and Declared the Peace process Stopped, adding even a Total Financial Blockade against the pro-Autonomy Regions, (See also Infra). Since then, Deadly Clashes between the 2 sides Stop and Go several times, resulting into a slow but steady Recovery of their Land by Donetsk/Luhansk Autonomists, including Donetsk's Airport and surrounding areass, until they managed to Surround a 6.000 - 8.000 fully Equiped detachment of Kiev's Military at the Strategic Crossroads of Debaltsevo, of crucial importance for Transport Communications by Car and Rail between the two Capital Cities of the Autonomist Regions, the Russian Border and even their Historic avant-post of Slayansk, (the 1st City Attacked and later occupied by Kiev's Military since the Beginning of the conflict, after a long Resistance).
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+ For the 1st Time, however, recently, it is no more only Brutal Force which could simply drop, stop, humper or slam Peace Agreements on the Ukraine issue, just in a Few Hours, or so, as it had happened in the Past, f.ex. after the unelucidated yet "Snipers" and other Provocations which killed both Policemen and Demonstrators in Kiev, triggering Deadly Clashes which smashed the 21 February 2014 Agreement signed between Yanukovich and the Opposition in the presence of 4 European Representatives from France, Germany, Poland and Russia, in less than 1 Day (Comp. Supra), and/or the Start of a Wave of Deadly Armed Attacks against Donetsk/Luhansk pro-Autonomists at Slayansk, killing the First 3 Victims even during the Holy Christian Feast of Easter's Night, just one Day after the Geneva Declaration of April 17, 2014, (etc) :
- On the contrary, when the September 2014, initial Minsk Agreement was first Denounced and declared to have been practicaly Nullified, back on November 2014, (Comp. Supra), Kiev's Authorities were also obliged to Explain their stance by Arguying, (with more or less Credibility), f.ex. that Donetsk/Luhansk Autonomists shouldn't have held Popular Elections in order to choose their Political Leaders, (Comp. Supra), etc... So, it's no more simply with some Deadly unidentified "Snipers" provoking Violent Clashes, and/or some Bullets Fired overNight by Hooded Killers against Popular Militia guarding their own Village Homes, etc, (as it had occured in the Past at Kiev, on 21 February 2014, and at Sloyansk, on April 2014 : Comp. Supra), that a Cease-Fire and Peace Agreement may, anymore, be nullified in practice, since the new OSCE and "Normandy Format" Top-Level procedures have started to function, more or less efficiently, but with Growing Transparency, Dialogue, Systematic Monitoring, reciprocal Economic Sanctions, and Top Political involvement by mainly European Leaders.
=> Therefore, a thorough Knowledge by the Public in Europe and the World of the Full, precise Text of all Cease-Fire and/or Peace Agreements on the Ukranian conflict, has now become even more Important than in the Past, in order to Help all those involved and/or interested to be able to Analyse, Judge, Debate and Act well informed about the main relevant Facts and what is really at stake, so that eventual gross Manipulations of Public Opinion can't, no more, Mislead People as it had been notoriously done in Past occasions, but, on the contrary, all those who really stand together in favour of the "Peace camp", may find a Stronger public Support, sooner or later, so that they can Advance forward decisively and efficientlyn, until a sustainable Peace is established in that Strategic Country of the Greater Europe.
On the occasion of the landmark Minsk Agreements reached by 4 European Heads of State/Government of Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine, in parallel with OSCE's "Group of Contact" including also the Representatives of Lugansk/Luhansk Autonomists, on 11-12 February 2015, "EuroFora" contributes to that purpose by Publishing, ALL the Texts in Full, of the various Agreements which have tried to precede and/or lead towards what was Achieved Now, thanks to the personal initiatives and efforts of Chancellor Angie Merkel, and Presidents Francois Hollande, Petro Pososhenko and Vladimir Putin, at least some if not all of them would certainly deserve, later-on, a NOBEL Peace Prize, if they are all really decided to succeed to Stop that Horrible Killings of innocent Civilian People amidst Destructions and Sufferings never seen before in Europe since the 2nd World War, by acting decisively and adequately to overcome all Hard Obstacles stil lying ahead, in order to bring back a sustainable, Democratic Peace, reflecting well Europe's Values and allowing its Free Development and Growth.
Last, but not least, most of those Texts, (often, even the slightest concrete "Details"), are due, most probably, to be read and re-read many times, used, cited, modified and/or completed during the forthcoming Days, Weeks and/or Months, until a final result is obtained, possibly at the Horizon of "before the End of the Year 2015", as they reiterate several times on certain Key issues, or Later-on, so that they should all be Easily Accessible in Full at the Internet, at any moment.
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(A) Kiev Agreement of 21 February 2014
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<< Agreement on the Settlement of Crisis in Ukraine
Final 6:45
Concerned with the tragic loss of life in Ukraine, seeking an immediate end of bloodshed and determined to pave the way for a political resolution of thecrisis,
We, the signing parties, have agreed upon the following:
1. Within 48 hours of the signing of this agreement, a special law will be adopted, signed and promulgated, which will restore the Constitution of 2004 including amendments passed until now.
Signatories declare their intention to create a coalition and form a National Unity Government within 10 days thereafter.
2. Constitutional Reform, balancing the powers of the President, the governmentand parliament, will start immediately and be completed in September 2014.
3. Presidential Elections will be held as soon as the new Constitution is adopted
but no later than December 2014.
New Electoral Laws will be passed and a new Central Election Commission will be formed on the basis of Proportionality and in accordance with the OSCE & Venice commission rules.
4. Investigation into recent acts of Violence will be conducted under Joint Monitoring from the Authorities, the Opposition and the Council of Europe.
5. The authorities will not impose a state of emergency. The authorities and the opposition will refrain from the use of violence. The Parliament will adopt the 3rd amnesty, covering the same range of illegal actions as the 17th February 2014 law. Both parties will undertake serious efforts for the normalisation of life in the citiesand villages by withdrawing from administrative and public buildings and unblocking streets, city parks and squares. Illegal weapons should be handed over to the Ministry of Interior bodies within 24 hours of the special law, referred to in point 1 hereof, coming into force. After the aforementioned period, all cases of illegal carrying and storage of weapons will fall under the law of Ukraine. The forces of authorities and of the opposition will step back from confrontational posture. The Government will use lawenforcement forces exclusively for the physical protection of public buildings.
6. The Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Poland and the Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation call for an immediateend to all violence and confrontation.
Kyiv, 21 February 2014
Signatories:
President of Ukraine: Viktor Yanukovych
For the Opposition:
Vitaliy Klichko, UDAR
Oleh Tyahnibok, Svoboda
Arsenij Yatseniuk, Batkivshchyna
Witnessed by:
For the EU:
Poland Radoslaw Sikorski Foreign Minister
Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier Foreign Minister
France Laurent Fabius Foreign Minister
For the Russian Federation :
Vladimir Lukin Special Envoy >>
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(B) Geneva Statement of 17 April 2014, by MFAs :
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<< Following is a joint statement on Thursday by the four parties - Russia, the United States, the European Union, and Ukraine - meeting in Geneva to discuss the continuing conflict in Ukraine:
The Geneva meeting on the situation in Ukraine agreed on initial concrete Steps to de-escalate tensions and restore security for all citizens.
All sides must refrain from any Violence, intimidation or Provocative actions. The participants strongly condemned and rejected all expressions of Extremism, racism and religious intolerance, including anti-Semitism.
All illegal armed groups must be Disarmed; all illegally seized Buildings must be returned to legitimate owners; all illegally occupied streets, squares and other public places in Ukrainian cities and towns must be vacated.
Amnesty will be granted to protesters and to those who have left buildings and other public places and surrendered weapons, with the exception of those found guilty of capital crimes.
It was agreed that the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission should play a leading role in assisting Ukrainian authorities and local communities in the immediate implementation of these de-escalation measures wherever they are needed most, beginning in the coming days. The US, E.U. and Russia commit to support this mission, including by providing monitors.
The announced Constitutional process will be inclusive, transparent and accountable. It will include the immediate establishment of a broad national Dialogue, with outreach to all of Ukraine’s regions and political constituencies, and allow for the consideration of public comments and proposed amendments.
The participants underlined the importance of Economic and financial stability in Ukraine and would be ready to discuss additional Support as the above steps are implemented. >>
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(C) Minsk Protocol of September 5, 2014,; by the Trilateral Contact Group
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<<PROTOCOL on the results of consultations of the Trilateral Contact Group
with respect to the joint steps aimed at
the implementation of the Peace Plan
of the President of Ukraine, P. Poroshenko,
and the initiatives of the President of Russia, V. Putin
Upon consideration and discussion of the proposals put forward by the participants of the consultations in Minsk on September 1, 2014, the Trilateral Contact Group, consisting of the representatives of Ukraine, the Russian Federation and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe [OSCE], reached an understanding with respect to the need to implement the following Steps:
Ensure the immediate bilateral cessation of the use of Weapons.
Ensure Monitoring and verification by the OSCE of the regime of non-use of weapons.
Implement DeCentralization of Power, including by means of enacting the Law of Ukraine “With respect to the temporary status of local self-government in certain areas of the Donetsk and the Lugansk regions” (Law on Special Status).
Ensure permanent monitoring on the Ukrainian-Russian state Border and verification by the OSCE, together with the creation of a security area in the border regions of Ukraine and the Russian Federation.
Immediately release all hostages and unlawfully Detained persons.
Enact a law prohibiting the prosecution and punishment of persons in connection with the events that took place in certain areas of the Donetsk and the Lugansk regions of Ukraine.
Conduct an inclusive national Dialogue.
Adopt measures aimed at improving the Humanitarian situation in Donbass.
Ensure the holding of early local Elections in accordance with the Law of Ukraine “With respect to the temporary status of local self-government in certain areas of the Donetsk and the Lugansk regions” (Law on Special Status).
Remove unlawful Military formations, military hardware, as well as militants and mercenaries from the territory of Ukraine.
Adopt a program for the Economic revival of Donbass and the recovery of economic activity in the region.
Provide personal security guarantees for the Participants of the consultations.
Participants of the Trilateral Contact Group:
Ambassador Heidi Talyavini (signed)
Second President of Ukraine, L.D. Kuchma (signed)
Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, M.Y. Zurabov (signed)
A.V. Zakharchenko (signed)
I.V. Plotnitskiy (signed) >>
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(D) Minsk Agreements of February 11-12, 2015
a) Statement (by the 4 Heads of State/Government)
b) Package (by the Contact Group, under OSCE auspices)
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<<Thursday, February 12, 2015
Statement by the President of the Russian Federation,
the President of Ukraine, the President of the French Republic
and the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany
to support the Package of measures to implement the agreements Minsk
adopted on 12 February 2015 Minsk. (See Infra)
The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, the President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, the President of the French Republic, François Hollande, and the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Angela Merkel, reaffirm their full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
They are convinced that there is an exclusively peaceful solution is no alternative. They are determined individually for this purpose and to jointly take all possible measures.
Against this background, the Heads of State and Government support on February 12, 2015, adopted and signed Package to help implement the Minsk agreement that was signed by all the signatories of the Minsk Protocol on 5 September 2014 and the Minsk memorandum of 19 September 2014. The Heads of State and Government will contribute to this process and exert their influence on the respective parties to facilitate the Implementation of this package.
Germany and France will provide technical expertise for the recovery of the Banking sector in the affected areas of conflict are available, including the possible establishment of an international mechanism for facilitating social transfers.
The Heads of State and Government share the belief that improved Cooperation between the EU, Ukraine and Russia in resolving this crisis will be beneficial. For this purpose, they support the continuation of the trilateral talks between the EU, Ukraine and Russia on Energy issues with the goal to which Gas package to agree on further follow-up steps for the winter.
They also support trilateral Talks between the EU, Ukraine and Russia, to reach practical solutions to concerns that Russia has expressed with regard to the implementation of the deep and comprehensive free Trade agreement between Ukraine and the EU.
The Heads of State or Government are committed to the same vision of a Common Humanitarian and Economic Space from the Atlantic to the Pacific , on the basis of full respect for International Law and the Principles of the OSCE.
The leaders feel the implementation of the Minsk agreements as a further obligation. To this end, they agree on the creation of a Regulatory Mechanism in Normandy format, which will meet on a Regular basis, although in principle at the level of Senior Officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs.
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+ Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements
Published on February 12, 2015
1. Immediate and comprehensive Ceasefire in certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine and its strict implementation as of 15 February 2015, 12am local time.
2. Withdrawal of all heavy Weapons by both sides by equal distances in order to create a security zone of at least 50 km wide from each other for the artillery systems of caliber of 100 and more, a security zone of 70 km wide for MLRS and 140 km wide for MLRS „Tornado-S“, Uragan, Smerch and Tactical Missile Systems (Tochka, Tochka U):
- for the Ukrainian troops: from the de facto line of contact;
- for the armed formations from certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine: from the line of contact according to the Minsk Memorandum of Sept. 19th, 2014;
The withdrawal of the heavy weapons as specified above is to start on day 2 of the ceasefire at the latest and be completed within 14 days. The process shall be facilitated by the OSCE and supported by the Trilateral Contact Group.
3. Ensure effective Monitoring and verification of the ceasefire regime and the withdrawal of heavy weapons by the OSCE from day 1 of the withdrawal, using all technical equipment necessary, including satellites, drones, radar equipment, etc.
4. Launch a Dialogue, on day 1 of the withdrawal, on modalities of local Elections in accordance with Ukrainian legislation and the Law of Ukraine “On interim local self-government order in certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions” as well as on the future Regime of these areas based on this law.
Adopt promptly, by no later than 30 days after the date of signing of this document a Resolution of the Parliament of Ukraine specifying the area enjoying a special regime, under the Law of Ukraine “On interim Self-Government order in certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions”, based on the line of the Minsk Memorandum of September 19, 2014.
5. Ensure pardon and Amnesty by enacting the law prohibiting the prosecution and punishment of persons in connection with the events that took place in certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.
6. Ensure release and exchange of all hostages and unlawfully Detained persons, based on the principle “all for all”. This process is to be finished on the day 5 after the withdrawal at the latest.
7. Ensure safe access, delivery, storage, and distribution of Humanitarian assistance to those in need, on the basis of an international mechanism.
8. Definition of modalities of full resumption of Socio-Economic ties, including social transfers such as pension payments and other payments (incomes and revenues, timely payments of all utility bills, reinstating taxation within the legal framework of Ukraine).
To this end, Ukraine shall reinstate control of the segment of its banking system in the conflict-affected areas and possibly an international mechanism to facilitate such transfers shall be established.
9. Reinstatement of full control of the state Border by the government of Ukraine throughout the conflict area, starting on day 1 after the local elections and ending after the comprehensive political settlement (local elections in certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions on the basis of the Law of Ukraine and Constitutional reform) to be finalized by the end of 2015, provided that Paragraph 11 has been implemented in consultation with and upon agreement by representatives of certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the framework of the Trilateral Contact Group.
10. Withdrawal of all Foreign armed formations, Military equipment, as well as mercenaries from the territory of Ukraine under monitoring of the OSCE. Disarmament of all illegal groups.
11. Carrying out Constitutional reform in Ukraine with a new constitution entering into force by the end of 2015 providing for Decentralization as a key element (including a reference to the specificities of certain areas in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, agreed with the representatives of these areas), as well as adopting permanent legislation on the Special Status of certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, in line with measures as set out in the Footnote, until the end of 2015. (1)
12. Based on the Law of Ukraine “On interim local self-government order in certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions”, questions related to local Elections will be discussed and agreed upon with representatives of certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the framework of the Trilateral Contact Group. Elections will be held in accordance with relevant OSCE standards and monitored by OSCE/ODIHR.
13. Intensify the work of the Trilateral Contact Group, including through the establishment of working groups on the implementation of relevant aspects of the Minsk agreements. They will reflect the composition of the Trilateral Contact Group.
Participants of the Trilateral Contact Group:
Ambassador Heidi Tagliavini
Second President of Ukraine, L. D. Kuchma
Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Ukraine, M. Yu. Zurabov
A.W. Zakharchenko
I.W. Plotnitski
--------------------------
+ Footnote (1):
Such measures are, according to the Law on the special order for local self-government in certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions:
Exemption from punishment, prosecution and discrimination for persons involved in the events that have taken place in certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions;
Right to linguistic self-determination;
Participation of organs of local self-government in the appointment of heads of public prosecution offices and courts in certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions;
Possibility for central governmental authorities to initiate agreements with organs of local self-government regarding the economic, social and cultural development of certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions;
State supports the social and economic development of certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions;
Support by central government authorities of cross-border cooperation in certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions with districts of the Russian Federation;
Creation of the people’s Police units by decision of local councils for the maintenance of public order in certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions;
The powers of deputies of local councils and officials, elected at early elections, appointed by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine by this law, cannot be early terminated.>>
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(../..)
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***
("DaftNews", as already send to "EuroFora"s Subscribers/Donors, earlier. A more accurate, full Final Version, might be published asap).
***
EU Parliament slams Turkey for Obstructing Investigations on Cyprus' Missing Civilians' Mass Graves

*Strasbourg/EU Parliament/Angelo Marcopolo/- A very Strong Majority of MEPs voted Today an exceptional EU Parliament's Resolution slaming Turkey for a "Major Disruption" of U.N. Investigations on Cyprus' "Missing" People, as recent Findings in Mass Graves of Civilians revealed, (showing that Turkey doesn't respect not even the Dead when it comes to try to Hide horrible War Crimes), after a Hot Debate during which many MEPs asked for Sanctions against Ankara, who also persists Violating International Law by its Military Occupation of almost 40% of EU Member Cyprus' Territorial Integrity, just 1 Month before crucial Decisions on the 1st Annual Report on Turkey, (due to be adopted between March and April 2015), at this New EU Parliament which emerged from the May 2014 EU Elections (See Infra).
---------
EU's February 2015 Resolution points from the outset at the Macabre Findings of 2 "sites of Mass Graves" since the "Spring of 2009", where it was later-on "confirmed that the remains, identified by DNA testing, belong to the list of 71 Civilians who went Missing in (nearby) Ashia (Village) on 21 August 1974", including Elderly People and even Children, ("aged between 11 and 84").

- Recently obtained "Evidence" revealed that "the 2 Mass Graves had been previously Exhumed; whereas the remains were intentionally Removed and Transferred to Unknown locations", EU Parliament denounced on 2015.
=> In consequence, the quasi-Unanimously adopted EU Resolution clearly "Condemns the ReLocation that took place" there, "and similar actions, as a Great DisRespect to the Missing Persons", and "a Gross Violation of the Rights of their Families to finally Know the real conditions of the deaths of their loved ones"
+ "Underlines that relocation of remains and similar acts" are "a Major Disruption and complication for the challenging and difficult process of Investigating the fate of all Missing persons in Cyprus"
+ Meanwhile, "the cases, where only Partial skeletal remains of persons can be handed over for burial, canNot be considered as Closed until all the identifiable remains of all the missing persons have been discovered", EU Parliament stressed, while several Victims' Families have complained that, instead of Full Truth, they are given only a Few Bones of their beloved ones, without even knowing what really happened to them, and who were responsible.
- "The European Court of Human Rights held that there had been, with regard to Greek-Cypriot missing persons and their relatives: a continuing violation of Article 2 (right to life) of the Convention concerning the failure of the Turkish authorities to conduct an effective investigation into the whereabouts and fate of Greek-Cypriot missing persons who disappeared in life-threatening circumstances; a continuing violation of Article 5 (right to liberty and security) concerning the failure of Turkey to conduct an effective investigation into the whereabouts and fate of the Greek-Cypriot missing persons in respect of whom there was an arguable claim that they were in Turkish custody at the time of their disappearance; and a continuing violation of Article 3 (prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment) in that the silence of the Turkish authorities in the face of the real concerns of the relatives attained a level of severity which could only be categorised as inhuman treatment", the 2015 EU Resolution topicaly reminds.
- In fact, "ECHR has ruled on the Responsibility of Turkey, as the de facto Occupying Force in the northern part of Cyprus, to Investigate the whereabouts and Fates of those Missing" People, EU's 2015 Text also observes. Moreover, even if, initially, "a Limited number of Missing persons from both communities" "began in 1964", nevertheless, "the Ordeal or Missing Persons in Cyprus ... reached its Peak, with nearly 2 000 Missing ... following the Military Invasion by Turkey in 1974, which still keeps the island Divided".
=> That's one reason more, for which, EU Parliament, on 2015, "Highlights the Urgency of the matter, as regards the Families of the Missing persons, 41 Years after their Disappearances, and stresses that Time is running Out to Find them, as Witnesses and Relatives are passing away", threatening to Erase irremplaceable Traces of serious Crimes, (and scandalously impose Total Impunity even for the Worst Criminals for ever). Therefore, MEPs "call.. for the Immediate and Complete Verification of the Fate of the Missing".
- For that purpose, It's obviously "important" for relevant "activities" to be "Intendified", "as half of all the missing persons have yet to be Located, and more than Two-Thirds have yet to be Identified", (not to mention the supplementary Investigations needed also in order to discover what really Happened to them, as well as to find and punish those Responsible for possible Horrible Crimes, according to ECHR's established case-law).
=> Therefore, EU Parliament "Calls on Turkey and its Government to immediately Cease Removal of the Remains from the Mass Graves, and to Comply with International Law, international Humanitarian Law and the ECHR Judgments". In particular, Ankara has to "give Full Access to Military Archives and military Zones for Exhumation", but also "to fully implement its Obligation, following the (recent) decision of the ECHR, to Compensate the Families of the missing".
- It's "without deliberate Delay" that EU "Calls Turkey to allow Access to zones that have been defined as military, and there is information that Burial sites of Missing persons are Located within them", while, in, Addition, it "underlines that the Turkish Military should supply and share old military Maps, and give full access to its Archives, in order to facilitate the Search for still Undisclosed Burial grounds".
For that same purpose, EU also "reminds ... all those who have, or are in a position to have, any Information or evidence emanating from personal knowledge, archives, battlefield reports, or Records of Detention places, to pass it on ...without further delay", to the competent authorities, (f.ex. UNO's "Committee on Missing Persons" for Cyprus).
+ Last, but not least, while instructing to "forward this Resolution" to all relevant EU Bodies, as well as to "the Government and Parliament of Turkey", EU Parliament also "Recalls the unconditional Obligation of every State, under the European Convention on Human Rights, to Abide by final Judgments" which condemn it as responsible for violations. This is a Key issue for the PanEuropean CoE, whose Member States have, in principle, to abide by ECHR's judgements, risking, otherwise, to face, sooner or later, more or less important Sanctions, (f.ex. "Freezing" of the Right to Vote in CoE's PanEuropean Assembly, and/or raising an issue of Credentials, etc).
EU Parliament's Resolution on "Mass Graves of Missing Persons .. in the Occupied part of Cyprus", was adopted quasi-Unanimously : With 543 Votes "For", compared to only 43 against, and 62 Abstentions, - among which were obviously also several MEPs who, in fact, had wished not only verbal condemnations, but also practical, real-life Sanctions versus what looks like failed Turkey's attempts to cover-up serious Crimes.
-------------------------------------------
Many MEPs from various EU Countries ask Sanctions v. Turkey
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=> EU "should finally send a Strong Message against this Serious Violation of Human rights", urged from the Start of EU Parliament's Plenary debate, on behalf of the "Green" Group, German MEP Ika Keller.
+ "All these Missing People were Murdered by the Turkish Occupation Army and Burried at Mass Graves in areas which were named "Military" in order to Erase any trace. But even when Mass Graves are discovered, ... as in the case of Ashia Village's Missing People, .... then,; the Turkish Military tries to make Disappear the (material) Evidence", denounced Greek MEP Notis Marias of the Governing Coalitiion of SYRIZA (Left) with ANEL (Center Right).
- "Turkish Authorities must allow for Mass Graves in Military Areas to be Opened so that they can be Examined", in order to put a Stop repeating Nowadays in EU Member Cyprus the Greek Tragedy of "Antigone", written by Sophocles at 442 AD, where Mothers and Fathers, Brothers and Sisters of Victims, (as Antigone herself), have still to struggle, doing everything they can to at least bury the body of their beloved ones, whose Fate still remains unknown since the 1974's Turkish Military Invasion/occupation, as observed, in substance, Swedish MEP Cecilia Wilkstrom.
------------------
- In fact, "War Crimes committed on 1974 by the Turkish Invasion Army in Cyprus, with Massive Executions of Undeclared Prisoners who were Burried in Unknown for years Mass Graves in the Occupied Territories, emerges anew in the Actuality, on the occasion of the Tragic case ofthe Mass Graves which were discovered" since 2009, including "in the present areas", where "the Turkish Army relocated the Bones of Civilian Victims Murdered at the Ashia Village towards an Unknown destination", so that "Only a Few remains were found", explained the Head of Cyprus' Delegation to EU Parliament, ChristianDemocrat/EPP MEP Helen Theocharous.
>>> - "Such Relocations of Bones are done in order to Hinder Finding the Causes of the Deaths of the Victims", the experienced mainstream MEP (herself a Medical Doctor) denounced. - "That's why we (MEPs) invite EU Parliament to Call upon Turkey to Stop behaving without any Respect even to the Dead People, to Stop Insulting Humanity, and Cease the ReLocations of the Dead from Mass Graves", as well as "to Open its Military Archives and the so-called "Military Zones" to the Investigations and to the restitution of dead people to their Families".
----------------------------------------
- "According to a Traditional, customary Human Right, the remains of a Person after Death shall be Treated with Respect by the offspring" : "Antigone, the great Hero of the Ancient Greek" Civilisation, "has left us this Legacy", reminded from the outset German Socialist MEP Josef Weidenholzer.
- "There is also, for the Families, a Human Right to Know what kind of death their beloved ones might have found", as well as "where they have the final resting place, and get free access to this site", he added.
+ Also because "only thus it can become possible to work on Memory, without which there is No Future", Weidenholzer warned, observing also that "another aspect of Antigone's Legacy" is that we are "born not to hate, but to love".
- But, "there is Compelling Evidence that ...these Fundamental Rights are still Violated" at Ashia/ornithi Villages in Occupied Cyprus, and "this is Unacceptable", making this EU Parliament's 2015 Resoloution necessary", he denounced..
----
=> In consequence, speaking in the name of the Biggest Group of MEPs in EU Parliament, that of Christian-Democrats/EPP, mainstream Cyprus' MEP Lefteris Christoforou, anounced that "we (EPP MEPS) are Calling for Sanctions to be imposed against Turkey for this affair".
- It's a fact that "during 40 Years (1974 - 2015), Turkey Occupies a part of our Fatherland (Cyprus), in Violation of any Principle of European and International Law, resulting into Tragic consequencies, both for our People, and for Cyprus, but also for EU itself"
>>> - "However, the most Tragic aspect of Cyprus' Drama is the story of Missing People : The very Fact that, for 40 Years now (1974-2015) there are Cypriot Missing persons, is due to the Inhuman and Hard Face that Turkey shows in this particularly Humanitarian issue :" Ankara "Refuses to Open the Archives of the Turkish Army, in order to Investigate their Fate", and, "there where Mass Graves are geolocalized, it declares them ..." Closed Military Area". The Worst, and most Loathsome, is when it Relocates the Bones of Missing People, as it was done in the case of Ashia Village, in order to Erase any trace", he denounced.
- "Unfortunately, that's Turkey which doesn't Respect Not even the Dead People", but "asks to become EU Memer State.. That's Turkey, which receives Pre-Accession Aid" by EU Funds", the representative of EU Parliament's biggest Group, that of ChristianDemocrats/EPP, criticized, reminding his Group's call for "Sanctions" against Turkey, (Comp. Supra).
Indeed, given the main Points evoked by Christoforou, particularly as far as it concerns UNO SC's Resolutions slaming Ankara's Military Invasion, and/or the fact that the Turkish Armt still continues to Occupy almost 40% of the Territories of CoE and EU Member Country Cyprus for more than 40 Years now (1974 - 2015), as well as to Violate ECHR's case-law in several key issues, as that of Refugees/Displaced persons, "Missing" People, etc, in addition to more and more Hideous War Crimes revealed during Recent years in this regard, (etc), obviously makes it Impossible, Today, for the EU to be Credible by persisting to inflict Heavy Financial and Economic Sanctions only against ...Russia, on the occasion of the Ukranian conflict in the name of an "International Law", if, at the same time, not only it doesn't Sanction at all Turkey, but even continues to Pay to Ankara almost 1 Billion € in full Grants each Year, (plus at least 4 or 5 Billions € of cheap Loans, etc), even during the present period of Austerity...
------------------------
- "What is committed Now, in the Occupied part of Cyprus, is a 2nd Crime against Humanity, because, 40 Years after" the 1974 Military Invasion of 1974, "the Turkish Occupation Regime displaces the Bones of Missing People, trying to Erase Traces which would locate them", denounced MEP Dimitri Papadakis, speaking on behalf of the Socialist Group.
- "Can you imagine the Families of Missing People to Burry a Piece of their beloved ones' Finger or Foot, while Wondering what Happened to them ?", he asked.
=> "Europe can't Close its Eyes : We (EU Parliament) have the Duty to call upon Turkey to Cooperate in a Full Investigation of the Missing People's Fate", "without Playing Political Games. Dead People's Honour is most Sacred in Europe", which "can't be Hypocritical in order to serve Political expediences", he pointed out.
-----------------------
- It's "in a probable Criminal attempt to Conceal Evidence", that "some of the human remains (were) Exhumed and Destroyed or Relocated", in "the issue of the 4 Mass Graves in Ashia / Ornithi village, (where) it is believed that the Graves of 106 individuals Brutally Murdered in 1974 during the Invasion by Turkey have been tampered with", denounced experienced Brittish MEP Charles Tannock, from the Governing Majority in London, speaking on behalf of the Euro-Conservatives and Reformists' Group.
----------------------------
- "The families of 2,000 Missing persons in Cyprus", "have every Right to Know what happened to their loved ones, especially because many of them are (now) Elderly and are likely to die without even knowing what has occured" + Moreover, "mark a point and arrive to the Conclusion of this History (of "Missing" People), is Necessary in order to Advance in the process of Reconciliation throughout the island of Cyprus", observed Italian MEP Ignazio Corraon, vice-Presidentt of the Freedom and Democracy Group.
=> But, for that purpose, current efforts about "Missing" Persons "need the Full Cooperation of all relevant Authorities", he observed.
- "EU is Funding such afforts on "Missing" People, "but Lacks yet that part affecting Turkey itself, which is Funded by EU Pre-Accession agreements", and "this makes us return back to a Broader Discussion" (about Ankara's controversial and unpopular EU bid), in order to "try to put Pressure on the Turkish Government, so that it helps to Shed Light on this Story" of Cyprus "Missing" People, Corrao added, apparently suggesting for the EU to put relevant Conditions to Funds earmarked for Turkey....
-------------------------------------------------------
+ Indeed, "an Effective Investigation" is needed : - "Turkey must Reveal the Truth about the Missing People, and in relation to the further Crime of the Relocation of Victims’ Remains by the Turkish authorities", also "for ReConciliation to take place in Cyprus", asked Irish MEP Martina Anderson, speaking on behalf of the Euro-Left Group.
>>> - "It's a Shame to relocate and make disappear (even) Bones from Mass Graves : almost an act equivalent to the Murder itself !", denounced mainstream Cyprus' MEP Takis Hadjigeorgiou, from the same Group. - "We (EU Parliament) must, therefore, urge Turkey to Stop this Shameful activity, and Show us Where are located the Burrial Areas for the Missing People, for those who have been Murdered, and to Open its Archives, in order for the Investigators to know where to Search".
- On the Contrary, "I express my Esteem for those People, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike, who are Working in this Direction", where "Tens of Greek and Turkish Cypriots, Scientists but also simple Citizens, work together in an effort to Find the Bones of those who Died from the Tragedy of Cyprus, in an activity which reveals Humanity : I.e. to strive to find the Marks and the Steps of History, and the Sufferings of Human beings and their relatives", as he said.
----
- "Many Bodies can be burried in a Mass Grave, but how Deep must be a Pit in order to "bury" the Story of the Victims and the Responsibilities of a terrible conflict that hasn't yet finished?", wondered Italian MEP Fabio Massimo Castaldo, speaking on behalf of the Freedom and Democracy Euro-Group.
- "From a Candidate" Country to EU Enlargement, as Turkey wants to be, EU "must Claim the maximum Cooperation and full Commitment", in "immediately applying ECHR'"s Judgements, and contributingto the work of the (UN) Committee" on Missing Persons by "Opening its Archivesand telling their Stories", "instead of a Long and Shameful Silence"n, as in the case of Turkey vis a vis Cyprus. he criticaly observed.
=> - Otherwise, "it's never too late to Rectify a Mistake", (i.e. to Stop considering Turkey as a "Candidate" country to a controversial and unpopular EU Accession), he urged.
------------------------------------------
>>> Indeed, "theis Dramatic Case of Mass Graves... is the Tree which Hides a Forest : It's the Macaber face of a much more important operation : the Occupaatio of Cyprus by Turkey, during 41 Years" (1974 - 215), denounced on behalf of the Non-Aligned Group, French MEP Edouard Ferrand.
- "The Turkish State is Guilty, but it has also Accomplices : Those who have chosen to start (EU) Accession Negotiations (with Ankara) since almost 10 Years now" (2005 - 2015). F.ex. "those who embraced Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan, back on 2005, in order to celebrate Turkey's candidacy to accede in the EU" he accused, indirectly but surely pointing to the well known 3 "No" to Euro-Referenda in France, the Netherlands and Ireland, between 2005 - 2007, which notoriously provoked an Institutional Earthquake inside the EU..
=> So that, "Today, there is only one Solution : Put an End to the Negotiations with Turkey for Accession inside the EU !", the French MEP stressed in Conclusion, attracting strong Applause in support by other MEPs.
----------------------------------------------------------
- "According to ECHR's verdict, Turkey not only Violates the rights of Missing People's Families, but, moreover, it didN't even give them any Compensation that the Court ordered Ankara to to pay". For those, and several other reasons, "Turkey's behavior in that procedure is "really Scandalous !", denounced Czech ChristianDemocrat/EPP MEP Stanislav Polcak.
- Because, "it's not possible to voluntarily sign the European Convention on Human Rights, and promisse to respect Strasbourg's Judgements, and, at the same time, Refuse even to Recognize the existence of (EU and CoE Member Country) Cyprus, (as well as) to Block the Compensation that was awarded to the Victims of this Injustice !"
=> - "The EU pays Turkey enough (Financial) Aid, (i.e. about 1 Billion € in full Grants each Year, plus many other Billions € in cheap Loans, etc), to enable it to Pay any Compensation to those Victims themselves, Directly, if Turkey persists to Disregard the ECHR"'s judgements, he advanced as another possible concrete Measure.
- "I am truly Appalled !", concluded the Young mainstream MEP from Mittel-Europa.
-----------------------
- Polish MEP Dawid Jackiewicz, from the Euro-Conservatives and Reformists Group, noted that Among some "2.000 Missing People", there are also "about 100 Civilians from the Ashia Village", "since the Turkish Military Invasion of Cyprus back on 1974. ECHR has ruled on Turkey's Responsibility for the Murder", and "there are still Alive Relatives of the Missing and the Murdered, Waiting to Bury the Remains of their loved ones" Today.
- But, "Turkey Refuses to cooperate, and Hinders Access to places where the Remains of Missing People can be Hidden", he denounced, urging Ankara to, at last, respect Victims' Families' Human Rights.
--------------------------
- "It's a Shame for the European political and legal Civilisation, when such a Behavior is being tolerated", "from a State" as Turkey, which "is constantly attempting to Cover-up Horrible War Crimes, which haven't even been yet Recognized and Punished, as the Mass Execution of almost 1.600 Greek and Greek Cypriot Prisoners of War (POWs), who are registered as Missing for 40 Years (1974-2015), part of which is also the Recent Removal of Bones from Ashia (village) to another, Unknown area in the Occupied Territories", denounced MEP Costas Chrysogonos from Greece (Euro-Left), reminding also the Fact that "the Turkish Invasion in Cyprus on 1974, and the Persisting Occupation of 40% of the Island since then, represent, already, particularly Major Violations of International Law, for which Turkey has been repeatedly Condemned (also) by the ECHR".
-------------------------------------
=> At least "the important Question surrounding the Fate, and final resting Places of so many Victims, must be Addressed", "as Time goes by, ... whilst Witnesses are still able to give Answers", stressed Brittish MEP James Carver, from the EFDD Group, who supported, as a "worth Investigating Option", the idea for "Cyprus .. to follow the brave South African example, at the End of the Appartheid regime, by setting up a truly Independent "Truth and Reconciliation Commission", judging that "the Time has come", Today, "for a Fresh approach to this Tragic issue".
------------------------------------
- "All the War Crimes committed by the Turkish Occupation Army and their Turkish Cypriot accomplices, .. remain Unpunished until Today", even 40 Years later (1974-2015), while "in order to Cover up their Crimes, Turks didn't respect even the Dead People of Ashia Village : They moved their Bones away from the Mass Graves and threw them inside Wells, Pitts and Wastelands, so that they would Never be found...", denounced Greek MEP Lambros Foundoulis, (whose unique Son was also recently Murdered in Cold-Blood by Armed "Leftist" Terrorists on November 2013 in Athens, with his Murderers still remaining Today, 1,5 Year later, notoriously Unpunished too).
- "Innocent Civilians were Executed in Cold-Blood from early hours" : "These are the Names of People who were Fathers, Grand-Fathers, Sons and Grand-Sons (i.e. including even Children aged 11, as EU Parliament's Resolution notes), denounced MEP Foundoulis, (whose unique Son was also recently Murdered in Cold-Blood by Armed "Leftist" Terrorists on November 2013 in Athens, with his Murderers still remaining Today, 1,5 Year later, notoriously Unpunished), "most of them originating from Ashia Village, the Inhabitants of which, suddenly came at the Focus of Turkish Military's Barbary", back on 1974, until "Excavations made since 2009 confirmed" rumours and fears of such a cold-blood Massacre of Civilians taken Hostages.
----------------------------------
=> - "Unanswered Questions, especially those about Missing persons, prevent many Cypriots from both communities from leaving their painful Past behind", while, at the same time, "for the Families concerned it is ...Crucial to determine the Fate of their loved ones", observed in Reply, new EU Commissioner on Humanitarian and Major Hazards' issues, former MEP, Christos Stylianides, presenting Brussels' current official position.
Despite more than 14,7 Millions € already funded by the EU "since 2006" to a notoriously controversial (mainly because of its Insufficient mandate compared to ECHR's case-law standards on "Missing" People) 3 Members only "Committee on Missing Persons" under UNO auspices, and "an Additional 2,5 Millions €" to be provided to the CMP " in 2015", (i.e. a Total of 17,2 Millions during about 7 Years now, until Today), the "EU Commission being currently the Main Source of Funding"), nevertheless, "More can and Should be done", in particular "to Clarify the Fate of all Missing persons", "at the same Time" that "the Fieldwork becomes more Difficult, as New Information Sources are now Scarces, and Remaining potential Graves are far Less Accessible", he warned.
=> - "This is why it is important that the CMP is granted Full Access to all relevant Archives and, of course, Military Areas", as the ECHR has already urged Ankara, and even "the EU regularly Calls on Turkey to Comply with this", according to the competent EU Commissioner.
+ But, "Missing persons is a Humanitarian issue", which, "like many other issues, shows the Need for a Fair, Comprehensive and Viable Settlement" also of the Cyprus' political issue, "under the auspices of the U.N.", that the EU is "Ready to Help", he concluded by the way, - while many believe, (as "EuroFora"'s co-Founder has repeatedly indicated already since many years), that, in fact, it's the Respect of elementary Human Rights for Truth and Justice, according also to ECHR's established case-law, which can Help Build much needed Trust, between all concerned People, that such Horrible Crimes will Never be again allowed to be committed by anyone in a Peaceful Common Future, based on real reconciliation and the best possible European and Human Rights Values.
------------------------------------------------------------
Cyprus' cases of "Missing" persons are the Oldest such affairs still Pending in Strasbourg among ECHR's case-law, and, therefore, Starndard-setting also for many Newer similar cases, elsewhere in Europe, f.ex. inside Turkey itself, in Chechenya, at former-Yugoslavia, and/or now in Ukraine, etc.
Significantly for the Exceptional Importance of this February 2015 Plenary Debate and Resolution is also the fact that EU Parliament hasn't held any other such public Debate and Vote on this controversial and tragic issue of Cyprus' "Missing" People since 2007 - 2008, i. e. for about 7 Years !
Moreover, Today's move looks Timely, since the ECHR's Great Chamber has recently published a new, landmark Judgement, which practicaly re-Activates the procedure still pending at CoE's Highest Political body : that of the PanEuropean Organisation's Committee of Ministers, in order to accomplish its statutory Duty to "Supervise the Execution of ECHR's Judgements" by the States condemned for Violations of Human Rights, (See : ...). In consequence, CoE's Ministerial Committee has currently decided to launch a process of collecting each Member Country's views on what should be practicaly done in order to convince Turkey to abide by ECHR's case-law on Cyprus' "Missing" People, in order to debate, decide and take relevant Action from June 2015.
+ Meanwhile, well informed EU Parliament's sources told "EuroFora" that the Annual Report on Ankara's controversial and unpopular EU bid has been already Singled Out so that, contrary to EU Enlargement Debates and Resolutions on various other Candidate Countries, whose Drafts are due to be voted this February in Committees and on March at the Plenary in Strasbourg, in the particular case of Turkey, this has been scheduled for later on, between March and April 2015, respectively.
This almost Coincides with the Anniversary of a Century since the 1915 Start of Mass Attacks and Death Deportations even against Civilians which marked the End of the former Ottoman Empire and the Foundation of nowadays Turkish State, prepared since that 1st Genocide of the 20th Century, also on April 2015. But a blunt Refusal by Ankara to even Discuss the issue of the Armenian Genocide, has reportedly provoked the Cancellation of the EU - Turkey Joint InterParliamentary Committees' meeting this year, according to other sources.
(../..)
***
EUParliament + Duma Foreign affairs Committee Chairs Brok+Pushkov to EuroFora on EU-EurAsia +Ukraine

*Strasbourg/EU Parliament/Angelo Marcopolo/- Speaking to "EuroFora" at a Crucial juncture of efforts for Cease Fire and Peace at Ukraine, both Presidents of EU Parliament's and Russian Duma's Foreign affairs Committees, Elmar Brok from Germany and Alexey Pushkov from Russia, didn't hide the current Difficulties, but didn't - no more- exclude a priori the possibility for an EU - EurAsian Union deal, which might create a Huge Common Trade Area, from Portugal up to Vladivostok, able to contribute boosting much needed Economic Growth, while, at the same time, facilitating a resolution of the Ukranian issue :
- "EuroFora" reminded to both German Chancelor Angie Merkel's relevant statements, earlier this week at Budapest, together with Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban, who both seem to be the most Popular in their ChristianDemocrat/EPP group, since they have been brillantly re-Elected at least Twice in a row, and with a Growing Number of Votes, (Merkel even 3 Times, and Orban having even got an Absolue Majority of MEPs, giving him twice a political Autonomy, both in National and EU Elections on 2010 and 2014 bis).
- "We should examine also the Trade relations between Ukraine and the EU, as well as Ukraine and Russia, .. also in the context of a Business Relationship between the EurAsian Union and the EU", in order to "Advance towards a Common Economic Space", Merkel pointed out.
- It's "both me, as well as Others, (who) have said that", because it "can be Mutually Beneficial", so that this should be explored", she stressed. Even if "it's certainly a Long Process", and, meanwhile, "at the Moment", "we still have a very Tough Differend between Russia and the EU on how to deal with Ukraine", she warned : A link that Merkel had initially attempted to use, precisely, in order to Facilitate a Compromise Solution on Ukraine, when she had anounced, back on December 2014's EU Summit in Brussels, her intention to try to .....
+ Meanwhile, at the Munich International Confernce on Security, (9 Feb. 2015) Merkel had already pointed out that "we are also very keen to get the Long-term goal of a common economic space of Vladivostok on Lisbon closer to Vancouver. I support necessary to discussions between the European Commission and the Eurasian Union. But I complete: The prerequisite for such talks and certainly for success is overcoming the crisis Ukraine on the basis of international law", she reportedly warned.
-------------------------------------

- "Yes, ...I think it will Happen, indeed", positively stressed Russian Duma's International affairs Committee President, Alexey Pushkov, in reply to "EuroFora"s Question.
- But, this would rather arrive "In the Long Run", if, perhaps, "there is no Time now", then, it could be done, at least, "in the long run, I think", as he carefuly reiterated Twice.
I.e., without without ignoring the current differences of views on Ukraine, which need to be overcome now. Even if he didn't specify on this occasion, Pushkov had earlier denounced a Negatively-minded group, according to him, systematicaly targetting EU - Russia relations and acting against them, from the beginning of his speech, earlier Today at EU Parliament's Foreign affairs Committtee, exceptionaly Full of People.

- Elmar Brok too, the long-time EU Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committe President, didn't exclude such a Possibiliy in the Future. But, for the moment, "Russia has, first, to respect International Law", he Soberly said, bécause, in fact, such Economic and Political Issues are "InterConnected", as he told "EuroFora".
Therefore, for both issues, "the Basis is the Rule of International Law", he concluded, pointing at a Strategic issue for both matters.The USA/EU "Sanctions remain, therefore", Brok added, but without excluding, himself no more, that such a Common Area for EU and Russia, together with other EurAsia Member Countries (such as Kazakhstan, etc), could become possible, f.ex. in relation with a Compromise Deal on the Ukranian issue.

-------------------
It's, however, obviously Difficult to over-simplify with Credibility an entire EU policy vis a vis the complexe Ukraine issue just by that point, particularly for experienced observers who have closely followed PanEuropean issues during the recent 3 or 4 Decades, given the Fact that, on the Contrary, Turkey is notoriously Continuing to openly Violate International Law, UN SC Resolutions, and the Territorial Integrity of Cyprus during more than 40 years (1974-2015) with Impunity, since the 1974 Turkish Military Invasion and Occupation of the Northern part of the island, (where Ankara has even obliged the Majority of the Population to flee Violence, usurpated all their Family Homes and private Properties, closed almost all Christian Churches, etc, still Hindering Greek Cypriot Refugees/Displaces persons to Return to their Ancestral Land and Homes, despite many Condamnations by ECHR Judgements for continuing blatant Violations of "Missing" Persons and Refugees/Displaced persons' Human Rights), without ever being Targetted by so heavy USA/EU Sanctions as Russia faced recently). On the Contrary, despite an Open Foreign Military Occupation by Ankara's Army of more than 38 % of EU and €uroZone Member Cyprus' National Territory, nevertheless, EU is Paying, each Year, almost 1 Billion € of full Grants to Turkey, since a notoriously controversial and unpopular decision of 1999 to give Ankara a "Candidate" Status vis a vis an eventual EU Enlargement until Syria, Iraq and Iran Borders, in addition to many other, at least 4 or 5 Billions € as EIB Loans yearly.
As for Trade relations, when, back on 1995, a Controversy appeared inside EU Parliament vis a vis Turkey's demand to enter EU's Customs Union, despite persisting and/or aggravating Violations of Human Rights and/or International Law, including many UN SC Resolutions and EU/COE Resolutions, on Cyprus, War Threats against Greece at the Aegean Sea, the Kurdish isssue, the Armenian Genocide, and Killings - Torture/Ill Treatment - Oppression of Freedom of Expression, etc. inside Turkey's mainland itself, etc., finaly, a Majority of MEPs accepted to Enlarge EU's Customs Union to Turkey, on the sole Condition that Ankara would simply "Promisse" to ameliorate the situation, but without taking any Binding Measure to oblige it to really do so...
Even inside the CoE's Organization for Demoracy, Human, Rights and Rule of Law, when, back on April 1995, a PanEuropean CoE Assembly's Resolution officially Warned Turkey that, if it didn't Remedy the above-mentioned Violations of PanEuropean/International Law, then, all Turkish MEPs risked to loose many of their Rights (f.ex. to Vote, participate, Speek, etc) in 6 Months' Time, finally, afterwards, on the Contrary, even if Ankara persisted Violating PanEuropean and International Law, nevertheless, all CoE's Plans for Sanctions on Turkey were Droped, and, instead, was Created, since April 1996 in Strasbourg, a brand New CoE Parliamentary Assembly's Committee for "Monitoring" certain Member Countries was created, and exist still Today...
Last, but not least, as Chinese President Xi Jinping has already pointed out, during his March 2014 visit to Germany, France and Belgium, including to EU Headquarters, in fact, in the case of Ukraine, it's not only One, but Two International Law Principles which have been affected by the recent Incidents : First the principle of "Non Interference in the Internal Affairs" of an Independent Country, (back on Maidan Square's USA a.o. interferences, and particularly the unelucidated yet, Deadly "Snipers" killings of both Policemen and Demonstrators, which provoked the Violent Clashes that toppled a Peaceful, Compromise Agreement for an orderly Transition of Power via Democratic Elections, brokered between former President Yanukovich and all the then Opposition Forces, under the auspices and with the participation of 3 Foreign Ministers from EU Countries : Germany, France and Poland, on February 21, 2014), and, afterwards, that of Territorial Integrity of a young State, with the Popular Referendum and Crimea's Annexation/ReUnificationn by/with Russia, later-on, in reaction, (Moscow's Government having repeatedly Warned in the recent Past that, both for GeoPolitical and Historic, as well as of Security reasons, it considered the maintainance of Crimea out of NATO possible inteerference as a "Red Line" for its own Defence : Comp. f.ex. Reply of ChristianDemocrat/EPP Party's President, experienced former long-time MEP, Joseph Daul to an "EuroFora"s Question" at Strasbourg's Press Club, as early as already since February 2014 : ....)
It's however true, as German Chancelor Merkel reiterated these Days both at the Munich International Conference on Security and at the White House, together with US President Obama, that "the Principle of Territorial Integrity of States" is "a basis of the Peaceful order in post-World War II Europe", and, therefore, should be protected.
But the Strange point is that, precisely, Russian President Vladimir Putin used to be, in the Past, one of the most important Supporters of that Principle, and Chancelor Merkel knows that well enough, since even at the 2007 G7/G8 Summit, chaired then by Germany, at Heiligendam, Putin's concluding Press Conference was full of references that he had made then in favour of States' "Territorial Integrity", mainly on the occasion of the dispute between Serbia and NATO on Kosovo, after the Colapse of the former Yugslavia, during the Wars of 1990ies - 2000ies. It was, then, some Journalists and/or Diplomats from certain NATO's Countries who appeared to have quite Differend ideas... (Comp. "EuroFora" Co-Founder's NewsReport from the Heiligendam G7/8 Summit of June 2007, published in "TCWeekly").
-------------------

However, if Pushkov reminded the case of Kosovo, Today at EU Parliament's Debates with MEPs, it was rather in order to observe that, if Serbia had accepted then "a Federal Status for Kosovo", (which had been only an Administrative Region, until then), may be War could have been avoided in whar remained from the ex-Yugoslavia. This was a way to introduce at his personal preference for a "Federal" Solution to the present, Donetsk - Luhansk problem in Eastern Ukraine, (as it has been recently "advised also by various EU Heads of State/Government", f.ex. the President of Austria, the Prime Minister of Hungary, some Top Finland's Politicians, etc) :
- "There is Nothing Wrong with a Federation : USA is also a Federation, Germany and Russia too, Switzerland, etc", Pushkov reminded, (speaking, by a Timely Coincidence, the Same Day that Chancellor Merkel was Discussing the Ukraine issue in USA and Canada -whose Quebec might be another Peaceful Example for Kiev - just after visiting Hungary, which has already expressed Support for a Federal Solution in Ukraine, where more than 200.000 ethnic Hungarians live, as well as Austria and other Countries). But Pushkov didn't exclude at all various Other Possibilities, including that of Regions with large Autonomies inside a Unitary State, given also the fact that the current Kiev's Government has reportedly Rejected any Federal solution to the conflict.
Brok reacted in fine by pointing out, in particular, that Albanian-origin Kosovars had faced many Human Rights Violations, almost a "Genocide" attempt, by several Attacks of the former Milosevic regime's Forces in Serbia, provoking a Massive Population Displacement and "Ethnic Cleansing", etc., so that the case of Pristina would have been "exceptional", according even to International Law, etc. But Pushov had alreadu observed that, if we start speaking about so-called "Exceptional cases", vis a vis State's Territorial Integrity, then, there is a Risk to see many "Exceptional" such cases arise, here or there, according to the interests of one or another particular Country... Last, but not least : Similar language claiming to Denounce attempts of "Genocide" against a Minority, by Deadly Military Attacks of a Central Government's Army making many Civilian Victims, refusal of Direct Dialogue, Systematic Destruction of vital Infrastructures cutting Water, Electricity, Phones, Internet, Banks, Posts, Social Services and other basic Networks necessary to Civilians' everyday live, as well as Family Homes etc., imposal of Total Economic and Financial "Embargo", etc.,, as Now by Kiev's Authorities against more than 4,5 Millions of mainly Russian-speaking People at the Autonomist Regions of Donetsk/Luhansk, from whom almost 2 Millions have already been obliged to Flee as Refugees/Displaced persons, either in Russia or in other, Neighbouring Russian-Speaking areas of South-Eastern Ukraine (up to Odessa and/or Kharkiv, etc), less to Western areas of the Country, could be also another attempt to commit a differend "Genocide" Today at Eastern Ukraine, as it has, indeed, been already said by several Political Representatives of the Autonomist movement, until recently...
+ Finally, Ukraine's own "Sovereignity Declaration", for the 1st Time in History less than 24 Years ago (1991), figures in the Same Text which also proclaims its Choice for "a permanently Neutral State that does Not participate in Military Blocs". A similar trend, mutatis mutandis, exists also at the 1994 Budapest Memorandum about the DeNuclearization of the country, which has also been a Member of the "Non-Aligned" International Movement. Ukraine's "Neutrality" and "Non participation in Military Blocks" was also enshrined from the Start, at its 1st Constitution of 1996. In addition, a Non-Aligned status had even been explicitly stressed in the Ukranian Constitution of 2010, as well as relevant National policy Laws, (until their recent Abolitions during the recent Troubled period between Kiev's Deadly "Snipers" and Violent Clashes topling the 1st Peace Agreement on 21 February 2014, and the subsequent Kiev Military's recurrent Attacks against Autonomist Regions of Lugansk/Luhansk which followed from April 2014 up to February 2015, making almost 6.000 Killed People, including many Civilians). So that, together with a Long Series of International Law elements, it's also the Examples of Switzerland's, Austria's and Finland's Neutrality and Non-Aligned Status, which naturaly plead for the respect of a similar course for Ukraine, (otherwise risking to dangerously approach, on the Contrary, a Problematic situation between ... Turkey and Syria, that Nobody wants inside Europe).
In consequence, when exceptional Violent Incidents brutaly reverse Ukraine's Historic legal and geopolitical link between its "Sovereignity" and its "Neutral" character (Comp. Supra), one may legitimately Wonder about Who has really Violated International Law first !...
Moreover, even the 1994 Budapest "Memorandum" which speaks about "Respect (of) Independence and Sovereignity ... of Ukraine", it does so in an absolutely Different, if not entirely Opposite Context : That of the "Development of a (PanEuropean) Security System that embrace all the CSCE States", with "the Evolution ...of TransAtlantic and Regional Mechanisms of Security in a manner that enhances the Security and Stability of all CSCE States", in a "process of Building ... an UnDivided Europe", and a "Common European Security space", with "the End of the Confrontation between Blocs of the Cold War", (as its accompagnying documents stress ,: f.ex. the Budapes declaration of Russia, Ukraine, the UK and USA's leaders, of 5 December 1994, on "the Evolution of European Security Architecture" ). Obviously, the original move wasn't at all aimed at bringing Cold War's NATO Lethal Military Weapons so close to Moscow...
--------------------------------------------------------
MEPs applaude Call for common Priority to Fight against "ISIL"s Extremists Islamic Terrorists beheaders.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Meanwhile, Pushkov attracted Applause from various MEPs when he observed, in substance, that, in fact, Today, it's not Russia which Threatens EU Countries, but the notorious Extremist Islamist Terrorist of ISIL's BeHeaders, particularly after their Deadly Armed Attacks against even Civilians, have recently Killed critical Journalists and Jewish People in Paris, Brussels, etc, (while New, Massive such Dangers risk to emerge even at the Mediterranean Neighbourhoud of Europe, it ISIL Terrorists prevail at the on-going Clashes between various opposed Armed Groups in Libya, facing Italy, Greece, Malta and France)...
- "Even if the EU - Russia Strategic Partnership might have been droped by some, recently, nevertheless, we feel that both Russia and the EU still remain important Countries belonging to the European Continent, and, therefore, we have to find ways to cooperate in Peace, the President of Duma's Foreign affairs Committee also added in his Speech to EU Parliament's equivalent Committee headed by Brok.
-------------------------------------------------
- One of the most Important Points for Peace in Ukraine is obviously that of the "Future Status", both of the Country as a whole, (f.ex. Neutrality or NATO, Accession to the EU or not, only EU Trade Area or also EurAsian Union's, etc), as well as, in particularn, of the Donetsk/Luhansk Regions held by the Autonomists, (f.ex. Federal status or Regional DeCentralisation inside a Unitary State, which Competences will be left at Local/Regional level instead of being Centralized at Kiev, etc), Pushkov observed.
=> In this regard, as well as vis a vis several other Crucial aspects of Cease-Fire/Peace Talks, he strongly pleaded for all People directly concerned - and, in particular, the pro-Autonomists of Donetsk/Luhansk areas- to be able to Speak and be Heard at the Negotiations' Table at a really inclusive, direct Dialogue.
Given the Fact that even EU and €uroZone Member Country Cyprus' President is often obliged to sit at the Same Table for Peace Talks (several times even in the presence of UNO's Secretary General) as a Turkish Cypriot Minority leader Hidden behind more than 40.000 Foreign Invasion and Occupation Army from Neighbouring Ankara, which Ostensibly Controls more than 38% of the Country's Territories since 1974, (including in many Foreign Military Camps, etc), despite many UN SC Resolutions condemning that, one might, indeed, find at least Astonishing, if not a sign of Blatant Double standards, that, on the Contrary, Ukranian President Poroshenko hasn't send, until now, not even one (1) simple Civil Servant or other Official from the Ukranian Government to represent it in Talks with the Political Leaders that the Donetsk/Luhansk Regions' Autonomists have elected in an area that Kiev claims to be Secretly supported by only a Few Thousands of Volunteers including from nearby Russia, (whose supposed presence still remains so Discreet that Nobody else has ever practicaly noticed !)....
---------------------------------------------------------
Meanwhile, in reply to a complaint by "Green" Group co-Chair, German MEP Rebecca Harms for the Fact that, apparently in reply to several EU Sanctions against Russia, she had been probably Black-listed and recently hindered to meet NGO activists there, President Pushkov anounced his intention to officialy Invite all EU Parliament's MEPs of the Foreign Affairs Committee to Moscow for further Dialogue on the Ukraine issue developments, and promissed her that she wouldn't have no more to bother by kind of "Visa" problems in such cases.

However, Harms, who told later to "EuroFora" that she had already been "invited" in Russia, in the meantime, expressed afterwards her astonishment : - "What could we talk about ?" (in Moscow), she criticaly Wonderd in substance, taking us by surprize on that point, given her Group's, and herself's traditional preference for Dialogue and Debates on all "Hot" issues. The No 1 natural Answer being : - "About how to Stop the Ukraine War", we (erroneously) skiped the (too) Obvious, and spontaneously Smiled, simply expressing our belief that "- "You are certainly able to Find some interesting Issues to discuss" Today between EU and Russia...
But a much Better Answer could be : - Since "we Stand on the side of Peace and want Peace" on the Ukranian Conflict, in consequence, "We accept only .. what Leads Towards Peace", but "Not whatever might Deepen Conflicts. This is a Rock-Solid ...Foreign Policy position", as, by coincidencen, stressed this Same Day, an interlocutor of German Chancellor Angie Merkel, Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban, to whom she chose to pay an official Visit earlier Today, at Budapest : I.e. the City in which had been issued the 1994 Declaration for Ukraine's Independence inside a New European Security mechanism, without any more "Cold War Military Blocks", but just "one, UnDivided Europe", and a "Common European Security space" for "all OSCE Countries", as those who had given Ukraine, for the 1st Time in History, an "Independent" status in Neutrality (as f.ex. in Switzerland, Austria and Finland, etc), Dreamed then to create throughout all the European Continent (Comp. Supra)...
A fortiori, since Today, Warnings about Risks for Deadly and Destructive War to intensify and even Spread further have multiplied, while, already, in Ukraine, more than 5.400 Victims have been Killed, added recently to another 242 Cilviians Dead at Donetsh/Luhansk Autonomist Regions only since January 2015, and almost 2 Millions Refugees/Displaced People, (mainly towards Russia or other Russian-Speaking areas of Ukraine's South-East), a German Media having recently even claimed that the Real Number of Casualties would be rather Closer to 55.000 Victims all in all, added to a growing "Humanitarian Catastroph" provoked by quasi-systematic Destructions, massive Cuts, Blockades, etc. which hit a Population that totaled more than 4,5 Millions People in the Autonomist Lugansk/Luhansk regions, as President Pushkov reminded Today MEPs, citting particularly UNO's and local, original sources from the spot, etc, from the outset of his Speech to EU Parliament's Foreign affairs Committee, at the Eve of Tomorrow's (Tuesday's) Plenary Debate on Ukraine, before the forthcoming EU Brussels' informal Summit of Thursday, February 12, 2015.
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***
("DaftNews", as already send to "EuroFora"s Subscribers/Donors, earlier. A more accurate, full Final Version, might be published asap).
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In a last-minute, surprise move, New EU Chairman, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, anounced a proposal in Strasbourg to open an EU Parliament debate on Europe's Identity in the ranup to 2009 Election :
- "I am conscious of the fact that there is, today, a real Crisis on Europe's
Identity", he replied earlier to a question by Greek MEP Ioanis Varvitsiotes, who had asked him to "advance beyond those who don't really want a Political Europe",
- "Why not a real Debate on what is Europe's Identity ?", proposed
Sarkozy, in this regard.
- "EU Parliament could organize such Debates", he suggested :"It's
better for EU Parliament, than for National Governments, or EU Commission, to
define what is the European Identity", the French President proposed.
A diplomatic way to avoid obstacles by some Governments and/or some Brussels' bureacrats, reportedly opposed to really free and popular, critical European debates on hot political issues..
Sarkozy brillantly won the 2007 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections in France in 2007, in the line of the principles anounced at an important Speech in Strasbourg, February 2007, about a Political Europe, and a European Identity on issues which matter to the People.