Press Releases

With regard to the European Commission’s annual Enlargement Package, which takes stock of the progress achieved over the past year in the framework of the Enlargement Process, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to note the following in relation to the Progress Report on Turkey:

As in previous years, the overall conclusion of the Annual Report is that although the country remains a candidate for European Union (EU) membership, the backsliding in all issues related to democracy, rule of law, fundamental rights and freedoms continues, and that Ankara’s accession negotiations remain frozen as of 2018.

An important new element in this year’s Report is the reference to a gradual, proportional and reversible re-engagement of the EU with Turkey, in line with the April 2024 European Council Conclusions. In this regard, the Report underlines that the advancement of the EU-Turkey relations is interlinked with Turkey’s constructive stance for the resumption of the UN-led Cyprus negotiations.

The Report reiterates Turkey’s refusal to implement its Cyprus-related obligations, namely recognition of the Republic of Cyprus, normalisation of relations, full implementation of the Additional Protocol to the Ankara Agreement, cooperation on justice and home affairs issues, lifting of the Turkish veto on Cyprus’ participation to international organisations.

As regards Varosha, the Report notes that, despite international condemnation of Turkey’s illegal activities therein, Turkey has not reversed its actions, thereby creating a new fait accompli. At the same time, the Report highlights the restrictions imposed on the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping force, in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 789, and calls on Ankara to fully respect UN Security Council Resolutions 550, 789 and 1251.

Furthermore, Turkey is called upon to commit to respect good neighbourly relations, the sovereignty and sovereign rights of all member states in accordance with EU and international law, including UNCLOS. The conduct of military exercises in Cyprus’ maritime zones and the violations of Cyprus’ airspace, as well as the intensification of militarisation in the occupied areas are also reflected in the Report. In this respect, the Report repeats EU’s readiness to adopt measures to protect its own interests and those of the member states.

On the Cyprus issue, Turkey is called upon to engage and contribute to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue, on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, as well as the acquis and EU principles, including on external aspects. At the same time, Turkey is urged to avoid unilateral actions that could increase tensions in the region and undermine the resumption of UN-led talks. The Report notes that Turkey gave its consent to the appointment of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy. However, Ankara’s positions on limiting the duration and content of her mandate are also recorded.

The EU’s commitment to a comprehensive settlement in the UN framework is reaffirmed and the text of the April 2024 European Council Conclusions is reproduced. It is also recorded that regrettably Turkey has continued to promote the two-state solution. In this regard, the Report reaffirms that, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, the EU only recognises the Republic of Cyprus.

Moreover, the Report notes that actions that in any way contribute to the recognition of the secessionist entity undermine efforts to resume negotiations within the UN framework. Within this framework, the Report criticises Turkey’s efforts to promote the secessionist entity in the Organisation of Turkic-speaking States, as well as Ankara’s plans for an illegal electrical interconnection with the secessionist entity.

On migration, Turkey is called upon to implement the Readmission Agreement and the 2016 EU-Turkey Statement vis-à-vis all member states.

As regards Turkey’s alignment with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, the Report highlights that over the last year, the alignment rate has fallen to a historically low 5%.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is examining thoroughly the Report and will duly present its positions at the upcoming discussions in relevant EU institutions, in view of the adoption of relevant Conclusions by the Council of the EU in December.

(MP/IA/GS)