The Commission is expected to send clear messages to Turkey shortly before the meeting that the President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulidis, will have with the President of the United States, Joe Biden.
According to a draft of the report on the enlargement that will be presented on Wednesday and is in the knowledge of the Step, the European Commission asks Turkey to actively support the negotiations for a fair, comprehensive and sustainable settlement of the Cyprus issue in the framework of the UN, according to the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and in line with EU fundamental principles and the acquis.
“Turkey to confirm its commitment to the Cyprus settlement talks”
It is pointed out that it is important for Turkey to confirm its commitment to the UN-led Cyprus settlement talks, in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions, including their external aspects.
At the same time, it is emphasized that the Commission notes that Turkey continued to support a two-state solution contrary to the resolutions of the UN Security Council. It is now of the utmost importance that Turkey commits and actively contributes to a fair, comprehensive and sustainable settlement of the Cyprus issue within the UN framework on the basis of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation, the Commission states.
With regard to the relations between Turkey and Greece, it is noted that they improved further, culminating in the 5th meeting of the High Level Cooperation Council in December 2023, during which the Athens Declaration on Friendly Relations and Good Neighborliness was signed between the two leaders.
Concern for the Blue Homeland
The draft also notes that inflammatory rhetoric is now rare and that Ankara has not engaged in any unauthorized drilling activity in the Eastern Mediterranean or flights over Greek islands in the Aegean. However, concern is expressed on the part of the Commission about the mention of the Blue Homeland in the textbooks, while it is pointed out that they have not taken steps for the reopening of the Theological School of Halki.
Of particular importance is the report’s reference to the conclusions of the April 2024 Summit, with which the EU leaders underlined that Turkey’s constructive commitment will contribute decisively to the promotion of the various areas of cooperation.
The resumption of talks on the Cyprus issue
“From this point of view, the European Union attaches particular importance to the resumption and progress of the talks on the settlement of the Cyprus issue to further strengthen EU-Turkey cooperation” the “27” pointed out, adding that the European Union is ready to play an active role in supporting all stages of the UN-led process, with all appropriate means at its disposal.
The position of the Commission in relation to Albania is also clear a few days after the opening of the first batch of funds for the accession negotiations. The draft report emphasizes the importance of promoting fundamental rights, including freedom of the media, property rights and minorities.
Finally, in relation to North Macedonia, it is stated that the bilateral agreements, including the Prespa Agreement between Greece and North Macedonia and the Treaty of Friendship and Good Neighborliness and Cooperation between North Macedonia and Bulgaria, must be implemented in good faith by all sides.
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