Germany has stepped up pressure in recent days for a ‘positive’ message on the future of EU-Turkey relations to be included in the final declaration of the EU summit, Euractiv has learned.<\/p>\n
Two EU diplomats confirmed to Euractiv that Berlin is pushing for the inclusion of a paragraph in the final text of the EU summit conclusions urging the European Commission to continue monitoring the development of EU-Turkey relations.<\/p>\n
After months of escalating relations between Greece, Cyprus and Turkey, the EU’s chief diplomat Josep Borrell prepared a report on the state of play of EU-Turkey political, economic and trade relations in early 2023.<\/p>\n
Although the first report was completed in November 2023, it could not be discussed due to the busy agenda of EU leaders at the last three summits.<\/p>\n
However, according to Euractiv, Cyprus wanted a “proper” discussion at this summit before sending a “positive” message, as suggested by Germany.<\/p>\n
An EU diplomat told Euractiv that European Council President Charles Michel was not keen to discuss the issue because of the heavy agenda.<\/p>\n
Relations with Athens, migration and satisfaction with sanctions against Russia<\/strong><\/p>\n According to Euractiv, the European Commission would like to see a reference to a possible EU-Turkey discussion between EU leaders in the final declaration and, at best, a reference to Borrell’s November report.<\/p>\n According to EU officials, positive steps have been taken in recent months, with improved relations with Greece (especially on migration) and special measures taken against Russian sanctions-busting.<\/p>\n However, there are still ‘some concerns’ about President Recep Tayyip Erdo\u011fan’s description of Hamas as a ‘liberation group fighting to preserve Palestinian land’ rather than a ‘terrorist organisation’.<\/p>\n Cyprus issue stands out as main obstacle<\/strong><\/p>\n According to Euractiv, there are also some concerns about Ankara’s stance on Cyprus. Sources in Athens stress that Greece could accept a paragraph calling on the Commission to continue the EU-Turkey situation reports.<\/p>\n However, the same sources said that this paragraph should include the following statement from the previous EUCO conclusions “The European Council reiterates the EU’s readiness to engage with Turkey in a gradual, proportionate and reversible way to enhance cooperation in various areas of common interest”.<\/p>\n In addition, the Greek Cypriot side asked for the inclusion of a sentence clarifying that the European Council should have the “last word” on any political decision concerning Turkey.<\/p>\n Cyprus asked for the inclusion of an EU representative on the Cyprus problem, but not all member states agree, Euractiv reported.<\/p>\n Finally, Cyprus asked for the inclusion of the EU’s line on the Cyprus problem, i.e. a bi-communal, bi-national federal solution, in opposition to Turkey’s efforts for a two-state solution.<\/p>\n Athens and Nicosia react to Erdo\u011fan’s comments<\/strong><\/p>\n Tensions have eased in recent months as Greece and Turkey have engaged in dialogue to improve bilateral relations.<\/p>\n But earlier this week Erdogan provoked the ire of Athens and Nicosia when he said: “Maybe even if we were burdened with the south, I say this as a son of today, there would be no more south-north, there would be no more south-north, Cyprus would be completely ours.”<\/p>\n Cyprus said the statement was “unacceptable”. In Greece, a source in the Greek Foreign Ministry argued that Erdogan’s “statements on the illegal occupation of Cyprus in 1974 constitute a blatant distortion of historical facts and an insult to the memory of the victims”.<\/p>\n The source pointed out that these remarks were made at a time when efforts are underway to resume negotiations under the auspices of the UN, within the framework of UN Security Council resolutions, for the settlement of the Cyprus problem.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Germany has stepped up pressure in recent days for a ‘positive’ message on the future of EU-Turkey relations to be included in the final declaration of the EU summit, Euractiv has learned. Two EU diplomats confirmed to Euractiv that Berlin is pushing for the inclusion of a paragraph in the final text of the EU […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3751,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[1997,610,1998,543,579,1448,895],"class_list":["post-3750","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-eastmediterranean","tag-cryprus","tag-eu","tag-eu-summit","tag-germany","tag-greece","tag-recep-tayyip-erdogan","tag-turkey"],"yoast_head":"\n