The importance of the Cyprus problem with regards to the EU’s commitment to a comprehensive settlement as well as its expectation that Turkey “commits and actively contributes to such a peaceful settlement”, is mentioned in the conclusions on enlargement of the General Affairs Council of the EU, which were approved by the participating ministers on Tuesday.
In a dedicated paragraph on the Cyprus issue, the EU reiterates its full commitment to a comprehensive settlement within the UN agreed framework, in accordance with all relevant UNSC resolutions and in line with the principles on which the Union is founded and the acquis.
“It remains crucial that Türkiye commits and actively contributes to such a peaceful settlement, including its external aspects” the Council adds, welcoming recent steps taken by the UN Secretary-General, and adding that “the EU remains ready to play an active role in supporting all stages of the UN-led process, with all appropriate means at its disposal”. The Council also condemns all unilateral actions in Varosha, calls for their immediate reversal and calls on Turkey to respect the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
The conclusions also include, as in other years, references to Turkey’s obligation towards Cyprus as a member state of the EU regarding good neighbourly relations, the implementation of the Turkey – EU joint statement on migration, and the implementation of the EU – Turkey customs union.
More generally, the conclusions emphasise, in line with all previous Council and European Council conclusions, “the EU’s strategic interest in a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the development of a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Türkiye”, as well as its readiness “to engage with Turkiye in areas of common interest in a phased, proportionate and reversible manner”.
However, the Council repeats towards the end of the conclusions, reaffirming previous year’s conclusions, that “Turkiye’s accession negotiations have effectively come to a standstill and that no further chapters can be considered for opening or closing”.
The conclusions make note of steps made so far, including the holding of a High-Level Dialogue on Trade, the continuing of the dialogue on the economy and the invitation to the European Investment Bank to examine conditions for gradual re-engagement in priority areas, with focus on the private sector, as well as the continuation of the dialogues on foreign policy and regional issues, amongst others.
“Turkiye’s own constructive engagement will be instrumental in advancing the various areas of cooperation. In this regard, the European Union attaches particular importance to resumption of and progress in the Cyprus settlement talks in further enhancing EU-Türkiye cooperation” the Council stresses, while pointing also to improved relations with Greece and noting the de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The conclusions also repeat the EU’s concern regarding the rule of law, while welcoming recent moves towards more conventional economic policies. On the Customs Union, the conclusions acknowledge recent progress, and add that Turkey is expected to step up work to remove remaining trade irritants.
The Council also acknowledges measures taken by Turkey to stop the circumvention of EU sanctions against Russia while recognising Turkey’s role when it comes to the Black Sea Grain Initiative and in prisoners’ exchange between Russia and Ukraine.
Finally, the Council deeply regrets Turkiye’s very low alignment rate with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy and its nonalignment with EU restrictive measures adopted in response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
