The European Union “attaches particular importance to resumption of and progress in the Cyprus settlement talks” at a time when the EU and Turkey are seeking to re-engage with each other on issues of common interest, according to the European Commission’s annual report on the country’s accession path, released on Wednesday as part of the 2024 Enlargement Package.
Referring to efforts to strengthen cooperation with Turkey, High Representative Josep Borell noted that the EU will continue to do so “hoping that Turkey will be actively supporting negotiations on a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement on the Cyprus issue, within the United Nations framework – something that cannot be solved without Turkey’s participation”.
Speaking in a press conference in Brussels, Borrell said he has worked hard to reverse the negative trends in the relationship with Turkey, which was much worse at the beginning of the outgoing Commission’s mandate. Today, he continued, there is again communication and cooperation again,
stressing that Turkey is an important partner especially at the current juncture.
Responding to a question on what are his expectations from Turkey in relation to the management of migration and foreign policy, the HRVP said that Turkey’s levels of alignment with EU foreign policy are indeed very low, and that there is no progress on the protection of fundamental rights.
However, he stressed that there are areas where progress is being made, such as trade, the fight against money laundering, research and innovation, and economic policy, while referring to April’s European Council conclusions which point to the need for a cooperative and mutually beneficial relation with Turkey, strategically, politically and economically. He added that since April, efforts have been made to re-engage and concrete steps have been taken towards issues of common interest.
“And this is what we will continue to do, hoping that Turkey will actively support negotiations for a just, comprehensive and viable settlement of the Cypru
s issue, within the framework of the United Nations, which cannot be solved without Turkey’s participation,” he stressed.
Commissioner for Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, said during the same press conference that the reports show that important decisions were taken by the EU during this year, citing as an example his joint report with HRVP Borell on relations with Turkey, which was adopted by the leaders in December 2023, and which is already bringing benefits for both sides as he said.
The report on Turkey includes a special section on the Cyprus issue under the chapter on “Good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation”, with references to, Turkey giving its consent to the appointment of a personal envoy of the UN Secretary General, as well as to the fact that Turkey is currently advocating for a two-state solution. As stressed in the report, the EU “recognises only the Republic of Cyprus as a subject of international law” and has underlined that efforts to recognise the breakaway entity “severely dam
ages efforts to create an environment conducive to resuming settlement talks under the auspices of the UN”.
Furthermore, the EU expresses its full support for a solution to the Cyprus Problem “within the UN framework, in accordance with the relevant UNSC Resolutions and in line with the principles on which the EU is founded and its acquis”, and reiterates that the EU has expressed “most recently in the European Council Conclusions of April 2024, its readiness to play an active role in supporting all stages of the UN-led process, with all the appropriate means at its disposal”.
“In April 2024, the EU welcomed UN Secretary-General’s appointment of his Personal Envoy on Cyprus” it is noted in the report, which adds that the EU “attaches particular importance to the resumption of and progress in the Cyprus settlement talks in further enhancing EU – Tu¨rkiye cooperation.”
In the context of references to Chapter 31 (foreign, security and defence policy), the report notes Turkey’s efforts “to legitimise the so-ca
lled, internationally not recognised ‘Turkish republic of northern Cyprus’ through participation, as observer in the OTS”.
There are also multiple references to Turkey’s refusal to honour its obligations to Cyprus as a member state of the EU, the fact that there was no unauthorised drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean in the reporting period but that Turkey has been conducting military exercises in the maritime zones of Cyprus. Also, the report notes the continued violations of Cyprus’ airspace and the upgrading of the military drone base at Lefkoniko and the naval base at Bogazi.
The report also includes references to migration, in relation to chapter 24 on justice, freedom and security issues, and in particular to the reduction of migrant arrivals in Cyprus on the Green Line by 60% in the first months of 2024.
The report includes additionally references to a number of instances where Turkey has prevented the Republic of Cyprus, a member state of the EU, from participating in international organisations.
Source: Cyprus News Agency