Brussels: Several MEPs condemned Turkey’s policy on the Cyprus issue, criticized the European Union’s stance, and called for a solution and the reunification of the island, during a discussion on Wednesday night, at European Parliament plenary, in Brussels, about the illegal unilateral declaration of the secessionist entity created by Turkey in Cyprus on November 15, 1983, and the ongoing Turkish military occupation of the island’s northern third.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Marie Bjerre, the Danish Minister for European Affairs, opened the discussion on behalf of the EU Council, stressing that “Turkey must commit and contribute seriously to a peaceful solution.” She reiterated the EU’s “firm and fundamental position” for a comprehensive settlement “within the framework of the UN Security Council resolutions,” while welcoming “the steps taken by UN Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres towards new negotiations.”
Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, described the de facto division of Cyprus as a “serious concern for the European Union,” with “negative consequences not only for Cypriots but for Europe as a whole.” He emphasized that “the solution for Cyprus is the reunification of the island,” referring to the EU’s aid program for the Turkish Cypriot community, aimed at “economic development, reducing isolation, and building trust.”
Cypriot MEPs also stressed the need for a Cyprus settlement. Loucas Fourlas (EPP – DISY) criticized the EU’s approach, questioning its actions and accusing it of moral bankruptcy. Michalis Hadjipantela (EPP – DISY) condemned “the illegal and unilateral declaration of the occupying, secessionist entity and the ongoing illegal military occupation by Turkey,” while Costas Mavrides (S and D – DIKO) highlighted Turkey’s control over the secessionist entity.
Giorgos Georgiou (The Left – AKEL) emphasized that “in Cyprus, there are not two states or two peoples, but people suffering under the Turkish occupation army.” Geadis Geadi (ECR – ELAM) questioned the EU’s inconsistent policy, contrasting its approach to Turkey with its actions against Russia.
French MEP Sandro Gozi (Renew Europe) underscored the illegitimacy of the regime in occupied Cyprus and called on Turkey to respect international law. Greek MEP Aphroditi Latinopoulou (Patriots) accused the EU of hypocrisy, comparing the Turkish invasion of Cyprus to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Lithuanian Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis (S and D) and Spanish MEP Juan Fernando L³pez Aguilar (S and D) called for more decisive EU action, while Finnish MEP, Sebastian Tikkunen (ECR), condemned recent provocations by Turkey in the buffer zone.
Dutch MEP, Reinier van Lanschot (Volt – Greens/EFA), highlighted a “small window of opportunity” for peace and unity in Cyprus, urging recognition and respect for the will of the Cypriot people. Czech MEP, Katerina Konecna (Non-attached), emphasized the need for member states to prioritize the Cyprus issue in their diplomatic contacts with Turkey.
In conclusion, Executive Vice-President Fitto reiterated the necessity of a solution for Cyprus, emphasizing its importance for both the island’s people and EU-Turkey relations. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, and repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results, with the latest negotiations ending inconclusively in 2017.