Developments regarding the Cyprus issue are among the topics highlighted in the European Parliament’s Resolution on the European Commission’s 2025 Report on Turkey, which was adopted on Wednesday by the plenary with 381 votes in favour, 107 against and 171 abstentions, with MEPs reaffirming support for a bizonal, bicommunal federation and calling on Turkey to abandon a “two-state” position for Cyprus.
In the Resolution, the European Parliament welcomes the steps taken by the United Nations Secretary General to relaunch talks on the Cyprus issue, including the appointment of a Personal Envoy for Cyprus, and calls on the European Commission to swiftly appoint a new EU Special Envoy.
The European Parliament reaffirms its position that "the only acceptable solution to the Cyprus problem is a fair, comprehensive, viable and democratic settlement within the framework of the United Nations and based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation with a single international legal personality, a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and political equality, as set out in the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions."
The Resolution stresses that the desired settlement should also be based on the agreed convergences, the framework established by the UN Secretary-General, and the principles and values of the European Union and international law.
Negotiations
The European Parliament calls for the swift resumption of negotiations for the reunification of Cyprus under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General, from the point at which they were interrupted in Crans-Montana in 2017.
At the same time, it calls on Turkey to abandon its support for a two-state solution in Cyprus and return to the agreed basis for resolving the Cyprus issue, as defined by United Nations resolutions and the UN framework.
The Resolution also welcomes the two informal enlarged-format meetings held under UN auspices in Geneva in March 2025 and in New York in July of the same year, as well as the contacts between the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community, Tufan Erhürman, including their meeting in December 2025.
The European Parliament notes that these contacts highlighted the solution of the Cyprus issue as a shared objective, based on political equality as provided for in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. At the same time, Members of the European Parliament expressed satisfaction with the attitude of both sides following the election of the new Turkish Cypriot leader.
The Parliament calls on the European Union and its member states to strongly support the continuation of the dialogue and to stand ready to contribute in every necessary way to the success of the process.
Green Line
The European Parliament also calls on Turkey to respect the status of the Green Line and the mandate of UNFICYP, to end and reverse unilateral actions and violations in and around the Green Line.
At the same time, it reiterates its call for cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United Nations aimed at implementing concrete demilitarisation measures along the Green Line in order to reduce tensions and create more favourable conditions for the resumption of UN-led talks.
The Resolution also calls on Turkey to withdraw from Strovilia, facilitate the full implementation of the Pyla agreement, withdraw its troops from Cyprus and refrain from actions that could entrench the island’s division or alter its demographic composition.
Opening of Varosha
Particular reference is made to Turkish occupied Varosha, with Parliament condemning the ongoing efforts to open and settle the area in violation of relevant UN resolutions. It also calls on Turkey to reverse these actions and return the area to its lawful inhabitants under temporary United Nations administration, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions 550 and 789.
The Resolution further expresses regret over attempts to turn Varosha into a dark tourism attraction and condemns the continued usurpation, sale and illegal exploitation of Greek Cypriot properties in the occupied areas.
At the same time, it condemns the destruction of cultural and religious monuments while praising the work of the bicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage.
Turkish Cypriot community
Elsewhere, the Resolution calls on Turkey to allow the Turkish Cypriot community to exercise its role as a legitimate community of the Republic of Cyprus. It also calls on the European Commission to intensify its engagement with Turkish Cypriots in order to facilitate a solution to the Cyprus issue and strengthen their ties with the European Union.
Finally, it underlines the importance of the work of the Committee on Missing Persons and calls for improved access to military zones under Turkish control, access to military archives, and information regarding possible relocations of the remains of missing persons.
Source: CNA
