Although Turkey remains a candidate country for EU membership, it continues to drift away on all issues related to democracy, the rule of law, fundamental rights and freedoms, the independence of the judiciary, corruption and freedom of expression, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement regarding the European Commission’s Progress Report on Turkey. The Foreign Ministry said that it is currently studying the content of the report in depth, and will take the proper position within the relevant EU institutions, in view of the adoption of relevant conclusions by the European Council in December. The Ministry noted that with regard to Cyprus in particular, Turkey is once again called upon to implement all its Cyprus-related obligations (recognition of the Republic of Cyprus, normalisation of relations, extension of the Additional Protocol on Customs Union, cooperation on justice issues, etc.), while, as in previous years, Turkey’s illegal actions in Varosha are recorded and the EU’s position and the importance of the status of the enclosed city are confirmed, with Ankara being called upon to reverse its actions and fully respect Security Council Resolutions 550, 789 and 1251. The report also cites continued airspace violations, increased militarisation, harassment and illegal military exercises and reiterates the EU’s readiness to adopt measures to protect its interests and those of all member states, the Foreign Ministry said. It added that Turkey is also called upon to commit itself to respecting good neighbourly relations and avoiding threats and actions that harm these relations, as well as to respecting the sovereignty and sovereign rights of all member states in accordance with EU and international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea – UNCLOS. According to the Foreign Ministry, the report this year is particularly critical of Turkey’s ongoing efforts to promote a “two-state” solution in Cyprus, as well as efforts to grant an observer status to the breakaway entity in the Organization of Turkic States, which is contrary to the UN Charter, while reiterating that in accordance with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, no state entity other than the Republic of Cyprus is recognized and stressing that actions contributing in any way to the recognition of the breakaway entity undermine efforts to resume negotiations in the UN framework. The EU’s commitment to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, in accordance with the relevant UNSC Resolutions, which is compatible with the EU acquis and principles, is reiterated, while recalling the European Council Conclusions of June 2023, which call for an immediate resumption of talks and express the EU’s readiness to support by all appropriate means all stages of the UN-led process, to which Turkey is invited to recommit and support, including by avoiding unilateral actions, the Foreign Ministry said. It added that particular attention is paid this year to the respect of the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), while the August events in Pyla and the recently reached understanding on this issue are documented in detail. Regarding the migration issue, the Ministry noted that Turkey is called upon to implement its relevant obligations on the basis of the European Council Conclusions of October 2021 (implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement on Cyprus), while reference is also made to the Action Plan for the Eastern Mediterranean Migration Route recently adopted by the European Commission. It added that this year’s report pays particular attention to Turkey’s stance on Ukraine, highlighting its insufficient efforts to address the circumvention of EU sanctions and the export of dual-use goods, while also recording both the country’s unacceptable attitude towards Hamas, which runs counter to the position of the EU, that has unequivocally condemned the terrorist organisation and its heinous acts. Furthermore, the Ministry noted that Turkey’s support to Azerbaijan’s attack on Nagorno Karabakh and its constant obstacles to EU-NATO cooperation are also recorded, which, together with the above-mentioned elements, have contributed to Turkey’s particularly low level of alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (only 10%), with Ankara’s foreign policy often finding itself in conflict with that of the European Union. In August 2023, the Turkish Cypriot side unilaterally announced its intention to build the road through the buffer zone between the villages of Pyla and occupied Arsos. Turkish Cypriots and settlers entered the buffer zone and attacked personnel and vehicles of UNFICYP. A peacekeeper was punched in the face. The international community, including five permanent members of the UN Security Council, condemned the attack. Later on, discussions began aiming at resolving the issue. According to an understanding that has been reached for Pyla, a single urban development area will be created, which will ensure the harmonious coexistence of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in the area of Pyla and, will include, among other things, a large area of residential development, the paving of a road leading towards Troulloi village, the creation of photovoltaic parks and the expansion of the urban use area of the village. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated 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.
Source: Cyprus News Agency