The EU’s Permanent Representatives will be tasked with advancing the agenda of EU – Turkey relations, according to the latest draft conclusions on EU – Turkey relations, which were expected to be discussed this evening at the European Council summit.
The draft, seen by CNA, is not the final one. Consultations on its wording were continuing ahead of the summit of heads of state and government. The draft also includes an additional reference to the fact that Turkey’s own constructive engagement will have a key role in advancing the various areas of cooperation listed in the Joint Communication of the High Representative and the Commission.
The next paragraph adds that “in this context” the EU attaches particular importance to the resumption of and progress in negotiations on the Cyprus problem.
In particular, according to the phrase added in the first paragraph the European Council ‘tasks Coreper to advance work on the recommendations of the Joint Communication’ in line with previous conclusions and in a ‘p
hased proportionate and reversible manner, subject to additional guidance from the European Council’. The phrase ‘as needed’ which followed has been deleted.
At the end of the same paragraph, it is noted that Turkey’s ‘own constructive engagement will be instrumental in advancing the various areas of cooperation identified in the Joint Communication’.
‘In this regard’, the second paragraph continues, the EU ‘attaches particular importance to resumption of and progress in the Cyprus settlement talks in further enhancing EU – Turkiye cooperation’.
In the rest of the paragraph, which remained unchanged, the European Council repeats that it remains fully committed to a comprehensive settlement in line with UNSC resolutions, EU principles and the acquis, welcomes Holguin’s appointment (UNSG’s personal envoy for Cyprus), and adds that the EU ‘is ready to play an active role in supporting all stages of the UN-led process, with all appropriate means at its disposal’.
Source: Cyprus News Agency