The draft conclusions of the upcoming European Council contains references to concerns expressed by the EU over Turkey’s behaviour, CNA has learnt after the conclusion of the General Affairs Council which was held in Luxembourg on Tuesday.
These concerns were brought up before Tuesday’s discussion, focusing in particular on calls on Turkey to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all EU member states.
The 27 leaders are also expected to call on Turkey to respect international law and de-escalate tensions in the region in the interest of regional stability, and to promote good neighbourly relations in a sustainable manner.
On Monday, in interventions during the Foreign Affairs Council, the Foreign Ministers of Cyprus and Greece pointed out Turkey’s problematic behaviour, including in relation to the Aegean Sea and Turkish occupied northern Cyprus.
According to an official statement on Foreign Affairs Minister Ioannis Kasoulides’s participation in the General Affairs Council, the meeting focused on the French proposal for the creation of a “European Political Community” and European prospects for Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, as well as the Western Balkan countries.
Kasoulides said that Cyprus agrees with this idea, but stressed that such a structure should involve only states that share the same values and objectives as the EU. He also stressed the need to safeguard the autonomy of the EU and its member states in decision-making with regard to the participation of third countries. He also underlined that this framework cannot be a substitute for the enlargement process.
Kasoulides also welcomed the Commission’s recommendations on Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia and underlined the need to reinvigorate the enlargement process towards the Western Balkans.
Source: Cyprus News Agency