EU seeks improved relations with Türkiye, stresses importance of resuming Cyprus talks

BRUSSELS

The European Union emphasized its strategic interest in developing a relationship with Türkiye based on cooperation and mutual benefit, saying Wednesday that it attaches "great importance" to the resumption of negotiations on the Cyprus issue within this context.

The section of the EU summit's conclusion in Brussels concerning Türkiye was revealed.

The statement said "the European Union has a strategic interest in a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the development of a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Türkiye," Ecaterina Casinge, the spokesperson for the European Council president, said on X.

It also called for progress in implementing the recommendations outlined in a joint report presented by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell with the European Commission in November 2023.

"The European Council tasks Coreper (the Committee of the Permanent Representatives of the Governments of the Member States to the European Union), respecting the competences of the relevant institutions, to advance work on the recommendations of the Joint Communication in line with previous European Council conclusions and in a phased, proportionate and reversible manner, subject to additional guidance from the European Council," it noted.

The statement evaluated that Türkiye's constructive participation will be beneficial in advancing various areas of cooperation identified in the report.

It also noted that the EU attaches "particular importance to the resumption of and progress in the Cyprus settlement talks in further enhancing EU-Türkiye cooperation.”

The statement underscored the EU's commitment to the UN-led process for resolving the issue, stating that the EU stands ready to actively support all stages of the UN-led process with all appropriate tools at its disposal.

During the external relations session of the summit, discussions were held regarding the recommendations in Borrell's report prepared with the European Commission concerning Türkiye.

The report included proposals such as the reactivation of the EU-Türkiye High-Level Dialogues on Economy, Energy and Transportation, which were suspended in 2019, conditional on Ankara continuing to refrain from all illegal drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and other actions that violate sovereignty and sovereign rights.

It also suggested restarting Partnership Council and High-Level Political Forum meetings at the ministerial level, increasing the number of sectoral high-level dialogues on climate, health, migration and security, agriculture and research and innovation.

*Writing by Alperen Aktas from Istanbul