Ongoing Diplomatic Efforts on EU-Turkish Relations and Cyprus Issue
President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, has been actively engaged in diplomatic discussions at the European Council, focusing on the future of EU-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue. In a series of consultations with Germany, President Christodoulides is exploring the possibility of integrating a reference text on EU-Turkish relations into the conclusions of an upcoming summit.
Upon his arrival at the European Council, President Christodoulides expressed satisfaction with the inclusion of a reference to the Cypriot initiative for a maritime corridor to Gaza in the conclusions on the Middle East. This initiative has been well-received, highlighting Cyprus’s role in regional matters.
During a meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, President Christodoulides discussed specific next steps concerning the Cyprus issue. He remains hopeful for developments by April that could signal a resumption of talks.
The ongoing discussions have been propelled by Germany’s proposal to include a paragraph on EU-Turkey relations in the summit conclusions. “As I mentioned yesterday, we had a meeting with the three of us, namely the Chancellor of Germany, the President of the Council, and myself. Subsequently, there were consultations at a technocratic level,” Mr. Christodoulides noted.
He also acknowledged Germany’s role in appointing the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy and in Turkey’s response. “We, more than any other member state, want to see positive developments in EU-Turkish relations,” he stated, emphasizing a step-by-step approach with an enhanced role for the European Union.
The President confirmed that discussions regarding a specific text have been ongoing and that there is interest from other member states. The outcome of these consultations may result in a proposal at the European Council level. French President Emmanuel Macron has also shown interest in both EU-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue, requesting updates on the dialogue with Germany.
President Christodoulides praised the European Council’s acknowledgment of Cyprus’s humanitarian corridor initiative to Gaza, which received support from all heads of states and was mentioned by the UN Secretary-General.
In terms of security and defense, President Christodoulides welcomed the announcement by the President of the Commission regarding the potential appointment of a Commissioner for Defence if re-elected. This move aligns with Cyprus’s support for the strategic autonomy of the European Union and its advancement in defense and security matters.
As consultations continue, stakeholders eagerly await the potential advancements that could shape the geopolitical landscape of EU-Turkish relations and bring new momentum to resolving the longstanding Cyprus issue.
