Ankara, Turkey. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Turkey needs to find a way to lift the reservations of EU parties, including the Greek Cypriots, to strengthen relations with the European Union.
Customs union and EU reservations
Fidan said progress on issues such as the customs union requires lifting the reservations of parties in the EU, citing the Greek Cypriot administration in remarks to CNN Turk.
Erdogan-Mitsotakis meeting and political climate
Fidan said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could raise the issue during a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Ankara on Wednesday. He added that he believes Mitsotakis and Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis have the intention and capacity to resolve the problems.
Fidan said the political climate in Greece does not allow for a conducive environment for resolving strategic issues, adding that Greek leaders face a dilemma between resolving the historical issue and paying the political price.
EU comments on Cyprus talks and broader ties
Fidan’s comments followed remarks last week by European Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, who said she welcomes Turkey’s engagement in talks regarding the Cyprus problem after meeting Fidan in Ankara. Kos said she had earlier spoken of an opportunity for Turkey to progress its process towards EU accession through Cyprus problem talks.
Kos said progress is connected to bilateral relations and to new Cyprus settlement talks, calling it a big opportunity to continue. She added that she believes there is more that connects the EU and Turkey than what divides them.
Kos later said Turkey’s aim to be more deeply involved in Europe’s defence architecture would depend on the stances of EU member states, and said the new Cyprus settlement talks are a great opportunity for improvements in this area.
Next steps in Cyprus problem engagement
Turkey’s next direct involvement in the Cyprus problem is expected at an enlarged meeting involving the island’s two sides, the United Nations, Turkey, and the other two guarantor powers, Greece and the United Kingdom, though a date has not been set.
A tripartite meeting involving President Nikos Christodoulides, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman and UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin was held last month and ended without any agreements being reached.
What do you think could help create conditions for progress in the new Cyprus settlement talks?
