Med9 leaders call for Cyprus settlement and mutually beneficial ties with Turkey

Split, Croatia. Leaders of the European Union’s Med9 states called on Wednesday for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem and mutually beneficial relations with Turkey. The nine leaders issued a joint declaration during their meeting in the Croatian seaside city.

Support for UN-led Cyprus talks

The declaration reaffirmed the leaders’ commitment to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus question within the United Nations framework, as defined by relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

“The Cyprus issue is a European one,” the declaration said. The leaders expressed appreciation for the UN secretary-general’s efforts, including his recent visit to Cyprus, and welcomed his intention to convene an enlarged meeting with all parties to resume negotiations within the agreed framework, based on the existing body of convergences.

They also welcomed the European Commission’s appointment of Raffaele Fitto as its Cyprus problem envoy.

Turkey’s role in negotiations

The declaration said Turkey’s concrete contribution to the swift resumption and successful conduct of negotiations remained crucial and was a key element in advancing EU-Turkey relations, in line with the April 2024 European Council conclusions.

Those conclusions state that the EU attaches particular importance to the resumption of, and progress in, Cyprus settlement talks in further enhancing cooperation with Turkey.

The Med9 leaders also said avoiding unilateral actions, including those in Varosha and along the ceasefire line, was essential to creating an environment conducive to renewed talks.

Relations in the eastern Mediterranean

Beyond the Cyprus problem, the leaders underlined the EU’s strategic interest in ensuring a stable and secure environment in the eastern Mediterranean.

They said the EU had an interest in developing a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Turkey in line with established conditionalities.

Turkey’s constructive engagement remained important in advancing the various areas of cooperation, the declaration said. It added that refraining from unilateral actions that breach international law and respecting the sovereignty and sovereign rights of EU member states were essential.