The EU General Affairs Council has called on Turkey to avoid threats or actions that turn against a member states, such as the Republic of Cyprus. The call is included in the conclusions of the Council adopted during a Council meeting, in which Cyprus was represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs Erato Kozakou Markoullis.
The conclusions refer to EU enlargement and the accession course of Turkey and countries of the Western Balkans. Regarding Turkey, the Council notes that “Turkey needs to commit itself unequivocally to good neighbourly relations and to the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the United Nations Charter, having recourse, if necessary, to the International Court of Justice.“ “In this context, the Union expresses serious concern and urges the avoidance of any kind of threat or action directed against a member state, or source of friction or actions, which could damage good neighbourly relations and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
Furthermore, the EU stresses again all the sovereign rights of EU member states which include, inter alia, entering into bilateral agreements, and to explore and exploit their natural resources in accordance with the EU acquis and international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea,“ it says. Furthermore, the Council “regrets Turkey’s statements to freeze its relations with the EU Presidency during the second half of 2012, and underlines that the Presidency of the Council of the EU is provided for in the Treaty on European Union.“ Recalling its conclusions of 11 December 2006 and the declaration of 21 September 2005, the Council “notes with deep regret that Turkey, despite repeated calls, continues refusing to fulfill its obligation of full, non-discriminatory implementation of the Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement towards all member states.
“ “This could provide a significant boost to the negotiation process. In the absence of progress on this issue, the Council will maintain its measures from 2006, which will have a continuous effect on the overall progress of the negotiations,“ it says. It adds that “Turkey has still not made progress towards the necessary normalisation of its relations with the Republic of Cyprus.“ “
The Council invites the Commission to monitor closely and specifically report on all issues covered by the declaration of the European Community and its Member States of 21 September 2005 in its forthcoming annual report. On this basis, the Council will continue to closely follow and review progress made, in accordance with its conclusions of 11 December 2006 and 14 December 2010. Progress is now expected without further delay,“ it notes. Furthermore, the Council “expects Turkey to actively support the ongoing negotiations aimed at a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem within the UN framework, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and in line with the principles on which the Union is founded,“ adding that “Turkey’s commitment and contribution in concrete terms to such a comprehensive settlement is crucial.
“ Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third
