The European Commission has called on Turkey to normalise its relations with the Republic of Cyprus, as it presented its annual report on the country’s progress towards European Union accession on Wednesday.
Cyprus was mentioned 52 times in the report, which said Turkey must avoid threats and actions that undermine good neighbourly relations and respect the sovereignty of all EU member states over their territorial airspace and sovereign rights.
The Commission noted that Turkey continues to refuse to recognise the Republic of Cyprus and has repeatedly advocated a two-state solution, contrary to United Nations Security Council resolutions.
It also rejected Ankara’s references to the “sovereign equality and equal international status” of Turkish Cypriots, a position Turkey has continued to promote since Tufan Erhürman’s election as Turkish Cypriot leader a year ago.
The report further noted Turkey’s efforts to secure recognition for, and establish political, diplomatic and economic relations with, the internationally unrecognised “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (TRNC). It highlighted the latter’s participation as an observer member of the Organisation of Turkic States since 2022.
Commission criticises military upgrades in occupied Cyprus
The report also referred extensively to Turkey’s military activities in Cyprus, noting that flights by Turkish unmanned aerial vehicles in Cyprus’ flight information region and national airspace had continued.
It said Turkey had further upgraded its military drone base in Lefkoniko and naval base in Bogazi, while temporarily increasing its military presence on the island in the context of the war in Iran.
This included the deployment of F-16 fighter jets and air defence systems.
However, the report described the deployment of Turkish F-16s, which remain at Ercan (Tymbou) airport, as a response to the deployment of Greek F-16s to Paphos. Both contingents were sent to Cyprus following a drone attack against the British bases on the island, in the context of deployments by EU member states and the UK to protect Cyprus.
At sea, the Commission said reports of harassment of Cypriot fishing vessels and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities by Turkey had continued.
It also noted that Turkey continues to prohibit vessels flying the Republic of Cyprus flag from docking at its ports. The restrictions also apply to vessels of other nationalities linked to Cyprus through ownership, vessels whose last port of call was Cyprus and vessels carrying cargo from the island.
The report said these restrictions were incompatible with the full implementation of the EU maritime acquis.
It also highlighted the continued lack of adequate communication between air traffic control centres in Turkey and Cyprus, saying this continued to compromise air safety in the Nicosia Flight Information Region.
Turkey’s plans for gas and electricity links criticised
The Commission also criticised Turkey’s agreement with the Turkish Cypriot authorities providing for the construction of a natural gas pipeline between Anamur, on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, and Cyprus.
It further noted that Turkey continues to insist on plans for an electricity cable connecting the country to the island.
However, the report also acknowledged some developments. It said Turkey had not carried out any unauthorised drilling activities in the eastern Mediterranean over the past year.
It also noted that the number of irregular migrants arriving in Cyprus from Turkey had fallen by almost a third compared with the previous year.
EU calls for renewed Cyprus settlement talks
On the Cyprus problem, the Commission reiterated the EU’s commitment to a comprehensive settlement within the UN framework and in line with relevant Security Council resolutions.
“The EU attaches particular importance to the resumption of and progress in the Cyprus settlement talks in further strengthening EU-Turkey cooperation,” the report said.
It also highlighted the appointment earlier this year of Raffaele Fitto as the European Commission’s envoy for the Cyprus problem.
The Commission said Turkey was expected to actively support negotiations towards a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement of the Cyprus issue within the UN framework, in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the principles on which the EU is founded.
Also read: Iranian media name RAF Akrotiri among potential targets of retaliation
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel
