Christodoulides: EU progress with Turkey tied to Cyprus talks

Speaking at a press conference in Nicosia on the outcome of the Republic of Cyprus' completed EU Council Presidency, Christodoulides addressed both the Cyprus issue and Turkey's EU accession process.

According to Fileleftheros, Christodoulides referred to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's recent meeting with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, stressing that Turkey-EU relations should remain linked to developments on the Cyprus issue.

He claimed that the EU would respond positively if Turkey took what he described as a substantive step toward restarting Cyprus negotiations, adding that the EU was, for the first time, playing such an active role in efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem.

Christodoulides also said discussions were continuing with the President of the European Commission on appointing a new EU envoy for Cyprus. He argued that, through the Greek Cypriot side's efforts, the Cyprus issue had become directly linked to broader EU-Turkey relations.

He further claimed that the positions conveyed by the EU to both the United Nations and the Turkish government fully aligned with those of the Greek Cypriot side. According to Christodoulides, any positive movement in EU-Turkey relations would require "substantive progress" toward resuming negotiations on the Cyprus issue based on the agreed framework.

Christodoulides also alleged that Turkey was seeking "special treatment" in both EU and NATO matters. He said Ankara wanted the EU-Turkey Customs Union to be modernised while, in his view, failing to meet its obligations toward the Republic of Cyprus.

He added that Turkey also sought simplified visa procedures for Turkish citizens, arguing that Ankara was expected to cooperate with all EU member states, including the Republic of Cyprus, on justice and home affairs. If Turkey fulfilled those obligations, he claimed, the EU would respond accordingly.

Turning to NATO, Christodoulides reiterated that he disagreed with the NATO Secretary General's view that the EU could not act independently in the fields of defence and security.

He also praised what he described as the achievements of the Republic of Cyprus during its EU Council Presidency.

According to the report, Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos also addressed the press conference, responding to Turkey's position regarding the Republic of Cyprus by asserting that the Republic of Cyprus "fully exists" and is not, as Turkey claims, "non-existent."

Kombos and Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna also reviewed initiatives undertaken during the Republic of Cyprus' EU Council Presidency.

Meanwhile, Alithia noted that the press conference marked the fourth public briefing by Christodoulides, Kombos and Raouna on the outcome of the EU Council Presidency.