Strasbourg, France. Cypriot MEPs Loukas Fourlas and Giorgos Georgiou said they will abstain from Wednesday’s plenary vote on a European Parliament report on Turkey, despite saying the text includes positive elements for Cyprus. Both said their decision was linked to references describing Turkey as a strategic partner of the European Union.
Fourlas cites objections to strategic partner reference
Speaking to journalists in Strasbourg on Monday, Fourlas said the report reflects a compromise position within the European Parliament. He said the text is better than previous reports and sets out Turkey’s obligations towards Cyprus, Greece and the European Union.
Fourlas said the European People’s Party, to which Disy is a partner party, is expected to support the report, but he confirmed he would abstain from the vote.
He said the report includes references to Turkey’s obligations on issues including missing persons in Cyprus, its position on a two-state solution, and violations in the buffer zone.
Fourlas said his decision to abstain was driven by references in the text describing Turkey as a strategic partner of the European Union. He added that, despite the positive elements in the report, this framing was not acceptable in the current context.
Georgiou also confirms abstention
Akel MEP Giorgos Georgiou also said he would abstain, stating that the report records what he described as serious violations by Turkey. He referred to issues related to the rule of law, Turkey’s actions in the Eastern Mediterranean, its operations in Syria and its documented support for Hamas.
Georgiou said the text refers to what he called a “covert dictatorship” in Turkey while also acknowledging its geopolitical importance because of its NATO role and regional position.
He added that although the report effectively rules out Turkey’s prospects for accession to the European Union, it still treats Turkey as an important strategic partner, including through visa facilitation and discussions on upgrading the customs union.
