30 October 2024, 22:00

34

EU ‘attaches particular importance’ to Cyprus problem for Turkey relations

EU ‘attaches particular importance’ to Cyprus problem for Turkey relations
EU ‘attaches particular importance’ to Cyprus problem for Turkey relations

The European Union “attaches particular importance to the resumption and progress of talks for a solution to the Cyprus problem” for the further development of relations between itself and Turkey, EU High Commissioner for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell said on Wednesday.

Borrell was presenting the EU’s annual package of reports on its enlargement process, with reports prepared regarding each of the 10 current official candidate states, of which Turkey is one, and expressed disappointment regarding Turkey’s current stance on Cyprus.

“Turkey has continued to refuse to recognise and cooperate with the Republic of Cyprus,” he began, adding that the country “has not removed all obstacles to the free movement of goods, including restrictions on direct transport links with the Republic of Cyprus.”

“Turkey has also refused to cooperate with the Republic of Cyprus on security-related issues, including terrorism. The Republic of Turkey continued to veto the Republic of Cyprus’ applications for membership in various international organisations, including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD),” he added.

Additionally, he said, “Turkey’s military exercises in Cyprus’ maritime zones continued. Turkish drone flights in the flight information area (FIR) and the national airspace of the Republic of Cyprus also continued unabated.”

He added that Turkey had “continued to heighten the militarisation” of the north, pointing to upgrades at the Gecitkale (Lefkoniko) air base.

He also criticised Turkey’s current support for a two-state solution to the Cyprus problem, adding, “the EU remains fully committed to the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue within the framework of the United Nations,” that being a bizonal, bicommunal federation.

In better news, he said there were “no unauthorised drilling activities from Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean”, and that Turkey “has issued several navigational telegrams to conduct seismic surveys and scientific research activities, but none in areas that include parts of the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus.”

Outside of the Cyprus problem, his evaluation of relations between the EU and Turkey were mixed.

He said, “both the EU and Turkey seek rapprochement in areas of mutual interest”, and that the EU is “communicating and cooperating constructively with Turkey in a gradual, proportionate and reversible manner, under the conditions set”, with that communication continuing “at a high level in areas of common interest”.

He did, however, note, that accession negotiations with Turkey have remained “deadlocked” since 2018, with the EU having expressed “serious concerns … regarding the continued deterioration of democratic standards, the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary and of respect for fundamental rights”.

Those concerns, he said, “have not been addressed”, though a more positive point of note was that the joint declaration on migration signed in 2016 “continued to produce results and remained the basic framework for cooperation on migration”, with migrant flows westwards over the Maritsa river and across the Aegean sea into Greece having largely been stemmed.

He also added that Turkey last year became the EU’s fifth largest trading partner, with trade between Turkey and the EU now exceeding €206 billion.

Turning to the matter of “neighbourly relations and regional cooperation”, he said relations between Turkey and Greece “have improved, with Turkey not participating in unauthorised drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean or in flights over Greek islands.”

Similar news

In Greece, a total prison sentence of 51 months was imposed on father Antonios for the offenses of grievous bodily harm and moral turpitude against minor food of the Ark. His sentence is converted into a fine of 10 euros...

41 minutes ago

The Embassy of Palestine in Cyprus states in a statement that the international failure to stop the war of extermination and the displacement of Palestinians, as well as the inability to implement decisions of internatio...

41 minutes ago

The message that Iran's nuclear facilities should not be targeted was sent by the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi. He was speaking during a press conference in Tehran, alongside the head of...

41 minutes ago

A diplomat who served in the Permanent Representation of the European Union, returned to Cyprus in 2013, but was still collecting the General Foreigner's Allowance for three months, which corresponds to 16,500 euros. The...

41 minutes ago

With the aim of raising awareness and mobilizing society, to improve the quality of life of people living with diabetes, as well as to promote their overall well-being, the Ministry of Health celebrates World Diabetes Da...

42 minutes ago

For two weekends there will be festive events with music, illuminations, roller coaster rides and much more. Specifically: Photo source

42 minutes ago

POLICE REPORTER #Court #Drugs #Police #YKAN The Criminal Court of Larnaca today sentenced two persons, aged 38 and 27, to prison terms of eight (8) and nine (9) years, respectively, for drug possession. The case arose af...

42 minutes ago

LOCAL NEWS #Public Works Department #Ministry of Transport #Polis-Paphos Road The members of the Parliamentary Committee on Transport requested the registration of the matter for the contract for the Paphos - Polis Chrys...

43 minutes ago

Banner Image

POLICE REPORTER #Court #Plenary #Photo tagging On December 12, the Plenary Session of the Parliament will put to a vote the proposals for a law, concerning the operation of the photo-marking system at traffic lights and...

43 minutes ago

POLICY #Audit Service #Allowance #Auditor General The allowance should have been stopped for the diplomat, who received the foreign allowance for 3 months, while he was called to return to Cyprus as an emergency, the Aud...

44 minutes ago