Cypriot members of the European Parliament point to both positive elements and serious concerns in the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee report on Turkey, stressing that its political impact will depend on how the EU chooses to act.
Responding to a Cyprus News Agency query, all six Cypriot MEPs said the report contains important references to Cyprus and Turkey’s obligations, but diverged on its overall direction.
DISY MEP Loucas Fourlas described the report as a “useful political tool”, noting it clearly links any progress in EU-Turkey relations to respect for the rule of law, human rights and the EU acquis. He said amendments he supported strengthened references to Cyprus, including the ongoing occupation, the opening of Varosha, settlement policies and conditions faced by enclaved persons.
Fourlas said the aim was to more clearly record Turkey’s violations and underline that the Cyprus issue is not bilateral but a European matter of law and principle. He added that further efforts will be made ahead of the plenary vote to secure the strongest possible outcome.
Fellow DISY MEP Michalis Hadjipantela welcomed references condemning efforts to upgrade the status of the occupied areas and calls for an end to illegal actions in Famagusta. He also highlighted the importance of executing arrest warrants linked to the killings of Tasos Isaak and Solomos Solomou.
However, he said no meaningful momentum has emerged from recent informal meetings on Cyprus and stressed that EU-Turkey cooperation must remain conditional on Ankara meeting its obligations, including full implementation of the Ankara Protocol.
AKEL MEP Giorgos Georgiou said the report broadly reflects key parameters of the Cyprus issue and reaffirms a solution based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation under UN auspices. He welcomed references to the need to resume talks and address issues on the ground, including the presence of Turkish troops and tensions in the buffer zone.
At the same time, he pointed to contradictions, noting that while the report includes critical references to Turkey, it also describes the country as a strategic partner and promotes areas of cooperation. He said this dual approach raises questions about the EU’s consistency.
ELAM MEP Geadis Geadi said the report contains “many positive elements” but also “very problematic references”, explaining his decision to abstain. He said amendments strengthened Cyprus-related issues, including Varosha, attacks on farmers in the buffer zone and Turkish activity in the Eastern Mediterranean.
He criticised references to de-escalation and renewed negotiations from the Crans-Montana framework, as well as calls for visa liberalisation and deeper EU-Turkey cooperation in energy and defence.
DIKO MEP Costas Mavrides said the report includes several correct references, including calls for troop withdrawal, condemnation of settlement activity and protection of cultural heritage. However, he criticised omissions and what he described as serious political missteps.
He said the report assigns Turkey a strategic role in European security and calls for renewed dialogue and an upgraded customs union without Ankara first meeting its legal obligations towards Cyprus. He also criticised the absence of a clear reference to full application of EU law in any Cyprus settlement.
Independent MEP Fidias Panayiotou said the report correctly identifies shortcomings in Turkey’s rule of law and democratic standards but is too mild regarding the occupation of Cyprus. He called for stronger EU pressure linking Cyprus to broader EU-Turkey relations.
The report will now proceed to a vote in the European Parliament plenary, where further amendments are expected.
Source: CNA