Nicosia: Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna, expressed her welcome on Tuesday concerning the European Union's reaffirmation of its positions regarding Turkey's obligations related to Cyprus. This includes linking progress in EU-Turkey relations to tangible actions by Ankara towards resuming Cyprus negotiations and enhancing the EU's role through the appointment of Johannes Hahn as the European Commission's Special Envoy for Cyprus, in collaboration with the UN and Marangela Holgun, the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Raouna noted in a written statement on the General Affairs Council's conclusions that the EU's support for the Republic of Cyprus's efforts toward resolving the Cyprus issue has been reaffirmed, along with the EU's commitment to a comprehensive settlement within the agreed United Nations framework. This commitment aligns with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the principles on which the EU is founded.
Raouna also highlighted the confirmation of the EU's agreed positions on Turkey's obligations related to Cyprus, the Cyprus issue, Varosha, and the Eastern Mediterranean. The EU has urged Ankara to fulfill all Cyprus-related obligations and contribute to a comprehensive settlement, respecting relevant UN Security Council resolutions, particularly resolutions 541, 550, 789, and 1251.
The Deputy Minister welcomed the linkage of EU-Turkey relations progress with Turkey's concrete steps towards resuming negotiations for resolving the Cyprus issue. She emphasized the importance of reinforcing the paragraph on the Cyprus issue and acknowledged the readiness of the Council to cooperate closely with Special Envoy Hahn, thus enhancing his presence and role.
Raouna also pointed out the significance of EU support for the UN Secretary-General's efforts, including the appointment of Personal Envoy Holgun. She further mentioned that as the Republic of Cyprus prepares to assume the EU Council Presidency, enlargement will be a key priority, highlighting a sincere discussion on enlargement at the General Affairs Council.
The statement also addressed Hungary's objections to the Conclusions document regarding Ukraine's accession, noting that 26 EU Member States approved the document, serving as a roadmap for the upcoming Cypriot Presidency. Raouna stressed the strategic necessity of EU enlargement amid current geopolitical conditions, reaffirming the EU's commitment to the accession perspectives of Ukraine, Moldova, and Western Balkan candidates.
Raouna welcomed the realistic prospect of Western Balkans' accession, highlighting Montenegro's decisive phase and Cyprus's role in establishing a working group for drafting its EU Accession Treaty. She noted that Cyprus would support Albania's transition to the next accession stage, provided necessary progress is made. Regarding Serbia, she committed to addressing its challenges to boost its accession path.
Focusing on Eastern Europe, Raouna commended Ukraine and Moldova's progress under challenging conditions, assuring Cyprus's tangible support over the next six months to advance their accession paths rapidly. She reiterated the EU's foundation on democracy, the rule of law, human rights, and international legality.
Cyprus remains divided since 1974 following Turkey's invasion and occupation of its northern third. UN-led peace talks have repeatedly failed due to Turkish intransigence, with the latest negotiations ending inconclusively in July 2017 in Crans-Montana. In 2025, the Secretary-General hosted informal meetings in Geneva and New York, with another expected later this year.