Cyprus’ Foreign Affairs Minister Ioannis Kasoulides expressed in Brussels his satisfaction on the enlargement report for Turkey, as approved by the General Affairs Council.
Minister Kasoulides in a press statement issued right after the adoption of the enlargement text stated that all Turkey`s obligations concerning Cyprus are present in the text, making specific reference to:
1) the fact that the Council deplores the unilateral statement on visa liberalization application roadmap, explaining that such a statement has no effect whatsoever on member states,
2) the obligation of Turkey to stop blocking Cypriot applications in international organizations,
3) the demand of full respect to Cyprus territorial sovereign rights
4) the lack of implementation of the Ankara protocol on customs union,
5) the lack of any effort towards the normalization of relations with Cyprus and finally
6) Turkey`s obligation to be constructive on the reunification process of island.
Foreign Minister Kasoulides, clearly stated that European Commission`s proposals or preparation for the opening of further negotiating chapters does not preempt the final decision of the member states to do so, the accession process being a purely intergovernmental one.
The Full text as obtained by CNA says under the title ENLARGEMENT TURKEY that the Council reaffirms the importance it attaches to EU relations with Turkey, a candidate country and a key partner for the Union, as underlined by the recent EU-Turkey Leaders` meeting. The EU should remain the anchor for Turkey`s political and economic reforms. The Council welcomes the recently reaffirmed commitment of the new Turkish government to EU accession. Recalling the conclusions of the European Council of 15 October 2015, the accession process needs to be re-energized with a view to achieving progress in the negotiations in accordance with the negotiating framework and the relevant Council conclusions. In this regard, the Council welcomes the opening of chapter 17 – Economic and Monetary Policy on 14 December 2015. The Council stands ready to fully support Turkey in case it intends to intensify work to fulfil set opening benchmarks, in particular of chapters 5, 8 and 19.
Furthermore it says that the Council takes note of the Commission’s intention to present the preparatory documents of a number of chapters in the first quarter of 2016, without prejudice to Member States’ positions. Turkey can accelerate the pace of negotiations by advancing in the fulfilment of the benchmarks, meeting the requirements of the negotiating framework and by respecting its contractual obligations towards the EU. 15356/15 GS/wd 7 ANNEX DG C 2A EN 14. In this context and building on the outcome of the recent EU-Turkey Leaders` meeting, the Council welcomes the broad and coherent strategic engagement and comprehensive regular political dialogue within the established framework, including at Ministerial level. The Council also welcomes cooperation with Turkey in key areas of joint interest and challenges such as migration, counter-terrorism, energy, economy and trade, including the Customs Union, as provided for in the Council conclusions of 16 December 2014. These important engagements complement the accession negotiations and the Council stands ready to further develop the cooperation with Turkey within established frameworks. The Council calls on Turkey to progressively align with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy in line with the Negotiating Framework. 15. The Council commends Turkey for its generosity in hosting and addressing the needs of over 2 million Syrian refugees. The Council welcomes the activation, on 29 November 2015, of the EU-Turkey Joint Action Plan for refugees and migration management, as part of a comprehensive cooperation agenda based on shared responsibility, mutual commitments and delivery. The Council looks forward to monitoring, in close cooperation with the Commission, its swift and effective implementation, with a view to achieving results in particular in stemming the influx of irregular migrants and the dismantling of criminal smuggling networks. 15356/15 GS/wd 8 ANNEX DG C 2A EN 16. The Council notes positively that Turkey, as regards alignment with the EU acquis, has reached a good level of preparation in many areas, in particular as regards economic criteria. However, a number of developments give cause for serious concern. Turkey urgently needs to remedy and further address major shortcomings identified in the Commission`s report, notably in the areas of rule of law and fundamental rights. Steps should be taken as a matter of urgency, particularly towards reversing the undermining of the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, and the significant backsliding in the area of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.
The Council, it is added, notes with particular concern the judicial proceedings brought against critical media, journalists, writers, as well as social media platforms and users. The Council calls on Turkey to ensure the full respect for the principle of separation of powers and for human rights, including rights of women, children and persons belonging to minorities, freedom of religion and property rights, as well as to enhance implementation of all the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. The Council recalls that under Article 46 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the contracting parties undertake to abide by the final judgments of the Court in any case to which they are parties. Addressing other important areas where little or no progress has been noted, such as the fight against corruption, should also be a priority. In order to address these and other issues, the Council considers that stepping up cooperation in the area of rule of law and fundamental rights will bring Turkey closer to the EU. In this regard, the Council takes note of the Commission’s commitment to complete, in the first quarter of 2016, preparatory work in these key areas, without prejudice to Member States’ positions. 17.
Furthermore, the Council condemns all terrorist attacks and violence in Turkey and expresses its solidarity with the people of Turkey. The Council pledges its support to fight terrorism, while respecting human rights, fundamental freedoms, and international law. 18. With regard to the situation in the South East of Turkey, the Council calls for the immediate cessation of terrorist violence and strongly urges the parties to resume the peace talks, aiming for a sustained political solution to the Kurdish issue. This could put an end to related terrorism and facilitate economic and social development in the region. 15356/15 GS/wd 9 ANNEX DG C 2A EN 19. With regard to visa liberalisation, the Council notes that successful implementation of the joint Action Plan for refugees and migration management between the EU and Turkey could contribute to accelerating the fulfilment of the visa liberalisation roadmap towards all participating Member States. While regretting Turkey`s unilateral statements in this regard, which have no legal effect, the Council underlines the importance of full and effective implementation of both the readmission agreement and the visa roadmap vis-à-vis all Member States, including cooperation on JHA issues and non-discriminatory visa free access to the Turkish territory for the citizens of all EU Member States. Pending this, adequate implementation of existing bilateral readmission agreements and provisions contained in similar agreements between Turkey and EU Member States, as well as reinforced management of the common borders with all EU Member States, remain a priority. The Council looks forward to the Commission`s forthcoming reports on progress by Turkey in fulfilling the requirements of its visa liberalisation roadmap, in 2016. 20. In line with the Negotiating Framework and previous European Council and Council conclusions, the Council reiterates 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 once again serious concern, and urges Turkey to avoid any kind of threat or action directed against a Member State, or source of friction or actions, which damage good neighbourly relations and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Moreover, the EU stresses again all the sovereign rights of EU Member States. This includes, inter alia, the right to enter into bilateral agreements and to explore and exploit natural resources in accordance with the EU acquis and international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and also stresses the need to respect the sovereignty of Member States over their territorial sea and airspace. The Council recalls that the European Council, in its conclusions of 24 October 2014, expressed serious concern about the renewed tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean and urged Turkey to show restraint and to respect Cyprus’ sovereignty over its territorial sea and Cyprus’ sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone. 15356/15 GS/wd 10 ANNEX DG C 2A EN 21. 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 fulfil its obligation of full, non-discriminatory implementation of the Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement towards all Member States, the fulfilment of which 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. Furthermore, Turkey has regrettably still not made progress towards the necessary normalisation of its relations with the Republic of Cyprus. The Council recalls its position on accession of EU Member States to international organisations. The Council reiterates that recognition of all Member States is a necessary component of the accession process. The Council invites the Commission to continue to monitor closely and specifically report on all issues covered by the declaration 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 relevant conclusions.
Finally, the Council reiterates its call for progress without any further delay. 22. The Council welcomes the engagement by the parties to the settlement of the Cyprus problem, as demonstrated in the joint declaration of 11 February 2014, and as reaffirmed by the statement of 30 October 2015. Noting the recent encouraging developments over the past year, and as emphasised by the Negotiating Framework, the Council expects Turkey to actively support the 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. Turkey’s commitment and contribution in concrete terms to such a comprehensive settlement remains crucial.
