During the extraordinary European Council in Brussels, Nicosia gained from connecting Euro-Turkish relations with progress in Cyprus and assigning “COREPER” to steer future work on the issue.
Diplomatic sources told philenews that a significant addition to the conclusions document is the reference to the assignment of the Committee of Permanent Representatives, COREPER, to guide future work, which is also interpreted as an additional safety net.
The Republic of Cyprus, along with Greece and France, made joint efforts to achieve this goal. As far as we know, the proposals were jointly submitted by the President of the Republic and the Greek Prime Minister.
Regarding the Euro-Turkish relations, Nicosia notes that a “clear interconnection of Euro-Turkish relations with progress in Cyprus has been achieved within the agreed framework.”
While the need for constructive engagement by Turkey is emphasized as a decisive criterion for progress on all issues mentioned in the Borrell Report, including Cyprus.
Additionally, from the Cypriot side, the repetition of the agreed approach is noted, through the affirmation of previous conclusions (“in line with previous conclusions”), and the contingencies contained therein, as well as significant references to:
a) Phased, proportionate, and reversible approach, and
b) Subject to additional guidance from the European Council on progress in the recommendations of the November Report.
Regarding the current situation in Cyprus and efforts to restart talks, the European Council reaffirms its commitment to a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue, based on the agreed framework as defined by the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and in line with the principles on which the European Union and the European acquis are based.
Meanwhile, it welcomes the appointment of Maria Angela HolguÃn Cuéllar as the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy. Furthermore, the European Union reiterates its readiness to play an active role in supporting all stages of the United Nations’ effort with all means at its disposal.
Government sources emphasized that the message the EU sends to Turkey is that if it engages actively and constructively in the progress of Cyprus, there will be corresponding progress in Euro-Turkish relations.
They also revealed that during the discussion at the European Council, both the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and the French President, Emmanuel Macron, acknowledged the readiness of the Republic of Cyprus for its constructive stance in the efforts to restart talks.
Nicosia emphasizes that the outcome – namely, the discussion and conclusion on specific references – while an ongoing effort of the UN Secretary-General through his personal envoy, is due to the intense efforts made by President Christodoulides over the past year since assuming his duties.
References in the final text:
The final text was the result of consultations held in the afternoon and led to the addition of the phrase “respecting the competences of the competent institutional bodies”, following disagreement on whether the evaluation and promotion of any positive agenda in EU-Turkey relations would pass through the EU Council (at COREPER level, i.e., permanent representatives, or Council of Ministers, or the European Council), and what role the services of the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) would play in this process.
In the final text, which was agreed upon shortly before midnight on Wednesday and released shortly after (paragraphs 9 and 10 of the conclusions), it is stated that the European Council “conducted a strategic discussion on EU-Turkey relations, taking into account the Joint Communication of the High Representative and the Commission on the state of political, economic, and trade relations between the EU and Turkey” (unofficial translation).
The European Union, it is added in the first paragraph, “has a strategic interest in a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and in developing a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Turkey.”
“The European Council assigns to COREPER, respecting the competences of the competent institutional bodies, to promote the work related to the recommendations of the Joint Communication, in accordance with the previous conclusions of the European Council and in a phased, proportionate, and reversible manner, with the reservation of additional guidance from the European Council. The constructive commitment of Turkey itself will decisively contribute to promoting various areas of cooperation identified in the joint communication” is added to the first paragraph.
“In this context,” continues the second paragraph, “the European Union attaches particular importance to the resumption and progress of negotiations for the settlement of the Cyprus issue for further strengthening EU-Turkey cooperation. Recalling its previous conclusions, the European Council remains fully committed to the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, within the framework of the United Nations, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UNSC and in line with the principles on which the Union and the acquis are based. The European Council welcomes the appointment of Maria Angela HolguÃn Cuéllar as the personal envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Cyprus. The European Union is ready to play an active role in supporting all stages of the process under the leadership of the UN, with all appropriate means at its disposal.”
