The Republic of Cyprus’ support to Turkey’s accession process is not a blank cheque and it depends on the complete and without concession implementation by Turkey of all the obligations it has undertaken towards the EU.

The position is underlined in a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in response to the publication on Wednesday of the European Commission’s Progress Report on Turkey and the Strategy Paper of the Commission on Enlargement.

The Ministry describes the two documents as useful tools for evaluating Turkey at the Council of Ministers and the European Council of December, where the government of the Republic of Cyprus will carry out an in depth analysis and evaluation of the two documents in view of decisions that will be taken.

Regarding the contents of the documents, the Ministry describes as impartial and with special significance the view of the Commission that Turkey should intensify its commitment and contribute significantly to the talks for a solution to the Cyprus issue. However, it adds that the Commission’s claim that Turkey reiterates its support to the talks, does not reflect reality, bearing in mind the statements of the Turkish Prime Minister during his illegal trip to the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus in July.

The Commission, said the statement, encourages the leaders of the two communities to make the necessary compromises for a successful conclusion of the talks. “On this we repeat our irrevocable commitment to find a just and viable solution which will be based on UN resolutions and the principles on which the EU is based. We expect the same from (Turkish Cypriot leader) Dervis Eroglu and mainly Turkey.

Regarding the Commission’s concern on the latest tension in the relations of Turkey with Cyprus, “we believe that the EU should state its position in a clear manner as to the source of tension, which is Turkey, especially bearing in mind that Turkey is causing tension in the eastern Mediterranean and contrary to international law, it provocatively violates the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus.