Politis

Cyprus MEPs Differ on EU-Mercosur Agreements

Published January 21, 2026, 17:21
Cyprus MEPs Differ on EU-Mercosur Agreements

Cypriot MEPs hold differing views regarding the EU-Mercosur agreements. Loukas Fourlas and Michalis Hadjipantela had been advocating for amendments to the agreements, which will now not be implemented. Conversely, Giorgos Georgiou, one of the proponents of the proposal to refer the matter to the EU Court of Justice, believes the agreement will be put into effect by the Commission, criticizing a 'democratic deficit'. The proposal for referral to the ECJ was approved by Georgiou, Mavrides, Geadi, and Panagiotou, while Fourlas and Hadjipantela voted against it. The two MEPs from the EPP had already begun consultations with agricultural organizations in Cyprus to promote their amendments. Hadjipantela stated that the approval of the proposal removes any leverage the European Parliament had. Fourlas emphasized that political groups were divided, as MEPs prioritized their national interests. Both had attempted to consult and propose changes but received no responses. Georgiou argued that the agreement will be applied provisionally, pending the Court's decision. If the Court rules the agreement is compatible with the Treaties, it will be voted on. Otherwise, it will need to be renegotiated with Mercosur. Mavrides also expressed reservations, questioning how increased imports from outside the EU align with the EU's strategic autonomy.