The European Commission has called on Turkey to cease all threats and actions that harm good neighbourly relations, normalise its relations with the Republic of Cyprus and respect the sovereign rights of all member states, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said in a written reply to a question by MEP Demetris Papadakis.
According to a statement by the MEP, Papadakis asked the Commission to take measures to protect the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus, following the provocative actions of the Turkish-occupying forces in the so-called “buffer zone” in Agios Dometios.
At the same time, it is added, Borrell assured that the European Union remains fully committed to resolving the Cyprus problem on the basis of a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality.
In his statement, Papadakis referred to Borrell’s written reply, who said that the European Commission has a strategic interest in a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and
has called on Turkey to fully respect international law, de-escalate tensions, in the interest of regional stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and promote good neighbourly relations in a sustainable way.
Borrell added that “the EU remains fully committed to resolving the Cyprus problem on the basis of a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and on the basis of the principles on which the EU is founded and the EU acquis”.
He added that in June 2023, the European Council reaffirmed its commitment in this direction.
In his response, the High Representative concludes that “the EU continues to defend its interests and those of its member states, calling on Turkey to cease all threats and actions that harm good neighbourly relations, to normalise its relations with the Republic of Cyprus and to respect the sovereign rights of all member states”.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeate
d rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
Last August, Turkish Cypriots punched and kicked a group of international peacekeepers who obstructed crews illegally working on a road that would encroach on a UN controlled buffer zone in the area of Pyla, in the Larnaca district.
The international community, including the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, condemned August’s attack. Later on, an understanding was reached which provides that a single urban development area would be created. Works, that begun based on this understanding, were temporarily halted to resolve complaints by some Turkish Cypriot land owners, who believe that their plots are affected.
Further violations occurred in December 2023, when Turkish occupation forces entered the buffer zone in the area of Agios Dometios, and installed on an uninhabited residence there a metal mast, on which a rotati
ng camera and antenna were mounted.
In a recent report, the UN Secretary General notes the importance of the parties refraining from taking unilateral actions both in and adjacent to the buffer zone that could raise tensions.
Source: Cyprus News Agency