A positive agenda in the European Union’s bilateral relations with Turkey “will remain extremely challenging in the absence of a solution to the Cyprus issue,” noted the European Commission in a joint communication released on Wednesday.
Specifically, the European Commission and the High Representative, today, adopted a Joint Communication on the state of play of EU-Türkiye political, economic and trade relations, following up on the task set out by the European Council of 29-30 June 2023.
The document outlines the state of play of EU-Türkiye relations in key areas and sets out recommendations, aiming to advance relations in a strategic and forward-looking manner, in the current fast-changing, geopolitical and security environment.
Cyprus issue
In the joint communication, the two European institutions put blame on Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership regarding the lack of progress in the Cyprus issue.
“The situation in Cyprus continued to deteriorate due to the consistent efforts of Türkiye and the Turkish Cypriot leadership to undermine the basis of the settlement of the Cyprus issue enshrined in the UN framework (a bi-communal and bi-zonal federation with political equality in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions),” the communication notes.
The document stresses that the “Cyprus settlement issue is a core element of Türkiye’s strong disagreements with the EU in the Eastern Mediterranean.”
Moreover, it highlights that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership intensified efforts to pursue the recognition of the so-called “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” in international organisations such as the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS), as well as unilateral actions in Varosha in defiance of the UN Security Council Resolutions.
The communication also sounds alarm bells regarding Turkey’s criticism of the decision of the UN Security Council to renew the mandate of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) without the consent of the Turkish Cypriot community.
EU’s position on settlement, UN envoy
“The EU remains fully committed to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, within the UN framework and in line with the EU acquis and the principles on which the EU is founded,” the communication highlights.
It adds that the EU has called, most recently in the European Council conclusions of June 2023, for the” speedy resumption of negotiations and expressed readiness to play an active role in supporting all stages of the UN-led process and step up its practical support to facilitate a comprehensive settlement, with all appropriate means at its disposal.”
The EU’s engagement and support to the Cyprus issue is “a sine qua non for easing tensions in the region,” it notes.
Concerning the matter of the appointment of a UN Envoy to help kickstart negotiations, the two institutions stress that “the EU continuously expressed its support to the UN leadership regarding a renewed effort to bring the sides to the negotiating table and, in this regard the call for the nomination of a UN Envoy.”
Cyprus issue creates difficulties for further developing EU-NATO relationship
Regarding the EU’s cooperation with Turkey on matters of security, the communication writes that “the non-recognition of the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey’s narrow interpretation of the EUNATO cooperation framework, continue to create practical and serious operational difficulties for further developing a genuine EU-NATO organisation-to-organisation relationship.”
Drilling activities
The two European bodies note that although there were no unauthorised drilling activities by Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean, since June 2021, delimitation of the continental shelf and Exclusive Economic Zones has not been addressed through dialogue and negotiations in good faith, in accordance with international law.
Migration
Regarding migration, the communication urges Turkey to resume readmissions from the Greek islands and address the migration situation in Cyprus, and prevent irregular departures on routes to the EU.
Aviation safety compromised due to Cyprus issue
“Transport relations between Turkey and the EU remain challenging despite shared interests,” the document notes, adding that discussions have started on the renewal of the working arrangements between Turkey and the EU Aviation Safety Agency, although aviation safety in the Eastern Mediterranean “continues to be seriously compromised” due to the refusal by air traffic control centres in Turkey to coordinate with air traffic control centres in Cyprus.
Non-recognition of Republic of Cyprus hampers functioning of EU Customs Union
Regarding EU-Turkey trade, the document notes that the absence of the recognition of Cyprus prevents the direct exchange of information with Türkiye (e.g., in the context of judicial cooperation or the fight against tax avoidance) and the smooth functioning of the Customs Union overall.
“The unresolved Cyprus issue has had an impact ever since the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU in 2004. Türkiye decided in July 2005 not to implement the Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement extending its Customs Union with the EU towards the Republic of Cyprus, which had serious implications to the accession process,” it stresses.
Halloumi/helim scheme
Despite the lack of progress, the communication acknowledges some positive steps in Cyprus, mainly having to do with confidence-building measures, such as the implementation of the EU Halloumi/Hellim protected designation of origin (PDO) scheme.
“The measure could become a positive example for further bi-communal cooperation and trust building, including support and resulting economic benefit to Turkish Cypriot businesses, linked to progress on compliance with EU standards. The EU will continue to support and reinforce such efforts through its instruments and policies towards the Turkish Cypriot community and in particular towards civil society,” the communication writes.
Two-state solution “a major challenge”
In closing, the European Council and the European Commission argue that Turkey’s stance on the Cyprus issue and the non-recognition of the Republic of Cyprus continues to hamper cooperation between Turkey and the EU in various areas, including security and defence.
“Türkiye must reaffirm its commitment to the UN-led settlement talks in Cyprus, in line with the relevant UN resolutions, including their external aspects. Exploiting the full potential of a positive agenda with Türkiye will therefore remain extremely challenging in the absence of a solution to the Cyprus issue,” the joint communication adds, noting that Turkey’s “vocal promotion of a two-state solution for the island constitute a major challenge.”
