President Anastasiades will point out the effects that the Turkish occupation of part of Cyprus has on regional security of the Eastern Mediterranean in his intervention during the summit EU Summit with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), government spokesman Marios Pelekanos said in a statement regarding the EU -ASEAN Summit taking place on Wednesday and ahead of the European Council Summit on Thursday.
Pelekanos also said that during the European Council the 27 leaders will also discuss recently adopted conclusions by the Council of the EU on enlargement. For the first time, he added, these conclusions call on Turkey to refrain from actions that violate UN Security Council Resolutions 541 and 550 (concerning the non-recognition of the illegal regime in Cyprus’ Turkish occupied northern part and the status of Varosha).
EU leaders are also expected to exchange views on the proposal for a gas price correction mechanism, after some progress was achieved on Tuesday during an extraordinary EU Energy Council. Consultations on the mechanism are currently continuing between the member states ahead of a new meeting of Energy Ministers on Monday.
Cyprus problem to be raised as a matter of regional stability
Discussions during the EU – ASEAN Summit will revolve around three major themes: the geopolitical situation as well as challenges in global and regional security and stability; the economy with a focus on connectivity, trade and supply chain sustainability; and finally, the process of sustainable green and digital transitions, food security and natural resource protection.
Pelekanos said that the president will, in an intervention during the discussion on the geopolitical situation, “refer to problems that the Turkish occupation and the non-resolution of the Cyprus problem create for regional security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean” and “will inform his counterparts of the efforts made by our side towards achieving a political settlement, on the basis of the UN Charter and in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Security Council resolutions on Cyprus for the benefit of all legal residents of the country, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots“.
EU leaders to exchange views on natural gas cap
The government spokesperson also referred to the agenda of the summit of the European Council, which will include developments in Ukraine, issues related to energy and the economic situation, defence and security issues, the EU’s relations with its Southern Neighbourhood partners and transatlantic relations.
Pelekanos added that the leaders will also discuss conclusions on enlargement which were adopted by the General Affairs Council of the EU on Tuesday, and which also deal with relations with Turkey.
“It is worth noting that, it is the first time in this context that Turkey is called, among other things, to refrain from actions that violate UN Security Council Resolutions 541 and 550,” he noted.
In relation to Ukraine, Pelekanos explained that the discussion will focus on ways to support the country so it can cope with the winter with humanitarian aid and other means, providing assistance to displaced persons and macroeconomic assistance. “The need to bring all third countries, in particular candidate countries, including Turkey, into line with the sanctions imposed by the EU will also be discussed,” he added.
On energy and the economy, he added, the leaders will exchange views on the proposal for a temporary mechanism for the correction of gas prices, as well as on measures taken to limit the increase of energy prices, which will contribute to the objective of curbing inflationary pressures, while also keeping in mind that to be effective these measures need to be practical and applicable.
The leaders will also exchange views on the importance of protecting vulnerable households and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, Pelekanos noted.
On defence and security, Pelekanos continued, the 27 will discuss the need to strengthen the industrial and technological base of the EU’s defence sector, as well as to strengthen the EU’s ability to act autonomously where and when needed.
“The exchange of views on the EU’s relations with its Southern Neighbourhood partners – namely its neighbours from the Middle East and North Africa – is seen as particularly timely, as the Southern Neighbourhood region is of strategic importance for ensuring stability and security in Europe, especially in the light of developments in Ukraine and the wider consequences of the war,” the spokesperson also said.
These developments, he continued, “make it necessary to strengthen political and economic cooperation between the two sides in order to better address the impact of the energy crisis, food security and other interrelated challenges, such as irregular migration.”
Source: Cyprus News Agency