Nicosia (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Cyprus welcomes EU enlargement conclusions, linking Turkey’s EU progress to Cyprus issue resolution and condemning illegal actions.
Cyprus’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs has welcomed the European Council’s Conclusions on enlargement, stating that they incorporate critical matters for the Republic of Cyprus and that they convey a firm political view to Turkey.
As reported by the Cyprus Mail, Cyprus’ Foreign Ministry referred to five matters considering the Conclusions, the foremost of which is that the EU Council reaffirms that advancement in EU-Turkey relations relies on Turkey’s full adherence to its Cyprus-related commitments.
Secondly, Cyprus’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the European Union restates that improvement in ties with Turkey is directly connected with the resolution of the Cyprus issue. Conclusions on Turkey’s gradual and proportional strategy depend on its constructive perspective, it said. As a third issue, the EU Council stressed the need for the resumption of the discussions for a sweeping solution to the Cyprus issue based on UN Security Council resolutions and European Union regulations, it stated.
The Ministry further said
The inclusion of the relevant resolutions, at a moment when the Turkish flank is putting forward standings for their ‘update,’ is critical, constitutes our primary purpose, and is the result of our actions.
Finally, the Foreign Ministry expressed that the European Union “criticises Turkey’s illegal activities in Varosha”, urging their rapid reversal, and reaffirms the significance of de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs also added that the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs “responded strongly to the Conclusions”, voicing dissatisfaction with the language affecting Turkey’s obligations and connecting its ties with the EU with the Cyprus issue.
“The constant and repeated public standing of the leadership of the European Union institutions, as well as the perspective of the Member nations as once again echoed in the Conclusions, but not just there, are a clear reaction to Turkey”,
the Republic of Cyprus, Foreign Ministry, stated.
