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EU, Cyprus pledge to continue efforts to resolve Bases issue in light of Brexit

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The European Union and the Republic of Cyprus will continue efforts to reach an agreement within the broader framework of the UK’s EU orderly withdrawal Agreement on the issue of the Sovereign British Bases, Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides and EU Chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier reaffirmed.

The two held a  bilateral meeting on the margins of the General Affairs Council and before a special Article 50 meeting. Michel Barnier reaffirmed his personal commitment to resolving the issue at the agreed EU-Cyprus concensus.

As announced by the Minister, he and Barnier discused the overall course of the EU-UK negotiations and in particular with regard to the necessary arrangements for the continued application of the acquis communautaire and European law in the British Bases in Cyprus after Brexit and safeguarding the rights of Cypriot citizens who live and work in the British Bases area.

Regarding the main issue before the General Affairs Council — EU enlargement, Christodoulides said the text reflected the concerns of all EU Member States regarding its accession course country.

“Cyprus supports Turkey’s full accession to the EU, provided that Ankara will respond to the EU’s suggestions regarding the human rights situation in the country and the rule of law, as well as the fulfillment of all its obligations, without discrimination, against of the EU, including the Republic of Cyprus,”  he said and thanked his counterparts for their support for Nicosia’s positions on Turkey’s Cyprus related obligations

With regard to the Western Balkans, the Foreign Minister, after expressing Cyprus’s support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans region, stressed the importance of “sending a clear positive signal to Albania and FYROM on their European future” while emphasising the need for their compatibility with the principle of conditionality, as the basic principle of the EU governing the accession process of all candidate countries.

The ministers also discussed the preparation of the European Council to be held in Brussels on 28 and 29 June, the new Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 and the ongoing negotiations on the UK`s exit from the EU.

Finally, the Foreign Minister also met with Alexander Stubb, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), with whom he exchanged views on issues related to the role of the EIB and cooperation with the EU Member States.

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