Nicosia: Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos expressed on Wednesday satisfaction with the European Commission’s progress report on Turkey, stressing that the document clearly records Ankara’s continued non-compliance with its Cyprus-related obligations and its conduct in the Eastern Mediterranean and on the Cyprus issue. Speaking after the Cabinet meeting, Kombos referred to the annual enlargement report covering candidate countries, noting that it includes several points of direct relevance to Turkey and, by extension, to the Republic of Cyprus.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Minister said the government was pleased with the report’s content, which outlines Turkey’s failure to implement its obligations toward Cyprus, as well as broader issues concerning Turkey’s behaviour in the Eastern Mediterranean and the state of play in efforts to resume negotiations on the Cyprus problem. The report highlights ‘the importance of respecting the sovereignty and sovereign rights of EU member states,’ and calls for the full and non-discriminatory implementation of the Additional Protocol to the EU-Turkey Association Agreement. It also refers to UN Security Council resolutions on the solution framework, and to ‘the EU’s more active engagement,’ with a specific mention of the appointment of EU Special Envoy Johannes Hahn.
The report, he added, urges Turkey to avoid unilateral actions that heighten tensions and undermine prospects for the resumption of talks. It also includes references to Varosha, noting the continued illegality of its partial opening. Kombos made special mention of the report’s reference to the illegal detention of five Greek Cypriots held in the occupied areas since July 19. He said the report also notes the need for good-neighbourly relations, both toward Cyprus and Greece, while reaffirming that progress in EU-Turkey relations depends squarely on Ankara’s compliance with its existing Cyprus-related obligations.
On Turkey’s European path, Kombos stressed that ‘any enhancement of EU-Turkey relations goes through the conclusions of the European Council. There is absolutely no other option for Turkey.’ ‘The Republic of Cyprus wishes to underline that Turkey’s European perspective is of particular importance and should be encouraged. The options are available to Turkey to move in that direction,’ he added, while noting that Ankara ‘must make a crucial decision: If it truly wishes to proceed down that path, the roadmap is there and has been repeatedly confirmed.’
Asked whether Cyprus is fully satisfied with the report, Kombos replied: ‘No one could ever be completely satisfied with a report they did not author themselves.’ ‘Nevertheless,’ he said, ‘the consistency of the report’s approach is notable, and there are elements that satisfy us. Of course, there are points that Cyprus would have liked to see stated with stronger wording or differently, but the overall outcome is significant and useful for the government’s ongoing efforts.’
Commenting on whether the report could deter Turkey’s participation in the SAFE programme, the Minister clarified that ‘the progress report and the SAFE programme are different matters.’ Referring specifically to the SAFE framework, Kombos explained that the regulation was adopted through a voting procedure that did not require unanimity, which limited the influence of individual member states during its formation. However, he noted, the final framework ‘gives each member state the right to decide whether or not to conclude a bilateral agreement with any interested country.’
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively. In 2025 the Secretary-General hosted two informal meetings on Cyprus, in March in Geneva and in July in New York, while a tripartite meeting with the Cyprus leaders was also held in late September, at the end of the UN General Assembly High Level Week. An informal meeting in broader format is expected later this year.