Commission links deepening relations with Turkey to de-escalation with Greece and progress on the Cyprus issue

Deepening relations between the European Union and Turkey depends on maintaining de-escalation in relations with Greece, respecting the sovereignty of member states and making progress toward a solution for Cyprus, the European Commission told the European Parliament on Thursday, 8 October. Raffaele Fitto, the Commission’s executive vice-president and special representative for Cyprus, simultaneously reaffirmed the EU’s strategic interest in cooperation with Ankara, rejecting the idea that such cooperation can advance independently of Turkey’s conduct in the eastern Mediterranean.

In brief

The Commission says relations with Turkey can advance only in a gradual, proportionate and reversible manner, including depending on regional de-escalation.

Ankara must respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and sovereign rights of all member states in accordance with EU and international law.

Fitto says that lasting de-escalation in the eastern Mediterranean is not possible without a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue.

The Commission still wants cooperation with Turkey on security, migration, connectivity and regional policy.

Several MEPs called for sanctions, limits on funding or conditions on defence cooperation, but no such measures were adopted through this debate.

Fitto presented the eastern Mediterranean as a region of direct geostrategic importance to the EU, both because of the presence of Greece and Cyprus and because of trade routes, migration, security and connectivity. Turkey remains a candidate country for accession, a NATO ally for most member states and a partner the Commission considers important in relation to Ukraine, the Black Sea, the South Caucasus, Central Asia and migration management.

This cooperation nevertheless has explicit political limits. The Commission reaffirmed that Turkey must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all member states and their sovereign rights, in accordance with EU and international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The position reiterates the line established by the Council in its assessment of relations with Ankara. Member states called for de-escalation to be maintained in the eastern Mediterranean, good-neighbourly relations and the peaceful settlement of disputes, and stressed that Turkey must normalise its relations with the Republic of Cyprus.

The Commission is not proposing to freeze dialogue with Ankara. Fitto said that the EU has a strategic interest in keeping Turkey connected to Europe and continuing cooperation in areas where interests overlap. The approach nevertheless remains “gradual, proportionate and reversible”, allowing the Union to intensify or reduce its engagement depending on political developments.

This formula means that progress is not automatic. A deterioration in the situation between Turkey and member states may limit closer relations, while constructive cooperation and reduced tensions may allow the resumption or expansion of certain dialogue formats.

The Commission also pointed to the visit to Ankara at the end of June by Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, together with Commissioners Marta Kos and Magnus Brunner. In talks with the Turkish authorities, the European side insisted on restraint, avoiding unilateral actions that could heighten tensions and respecting the principle of the peaceful settlement of disputes.

The Cyprus issue occupies a distinct place in this equation. In July, the Commission appointed Raffaele Fitto as special representative for Cyprus, tasked with supporting the UN-led process and the resumption of negotiations for a comprehensive solution.

In Parliament, Fitto explicitly linked the two issues: without a comprehensive solution for Cyprus, lasting de-escalation in the eastern Mediterranean cannot be achieved. The Commission supports a UN framework solution, in line with the relevant Security Council resolutions and compatible with EU principles and law.

This position also means rejecting a solution for Cyprus that is incompatible with the UN parameters and the European acquis. The entire island legally forms part of the EU, even though the application of the acquis is suspended in areas where the government of the Republic of Cyprus does not exercise effective control, and Turkish Cypriots are citizens of the Union.

The debate nevertheless showed that some MEPs consider the current European approach insufficient. Lawmakers from several groups called for targeted sanctions against Turkey, stricter conditions on European funding and the exclusion or limitation of Ankara’s participation in defence cooperation initiatives for as long as disputes with Greece and Cyprus continue.

Several speakers referred to Turkey’s maritime claims, the “Blue Homeland” concept, the dispute over the extension of Greece’s territorial waters, the issue of the demilitarisation of certain islands and energy projects in the eastern Mediterranean. These elements were presented by MEPs during the debate and should not be confused with new legal findings adopted by Parliament or the Commission.

The Great Sea Interconnector, the project intended to link mainland Greece, Cyprus and, at a later stage, Israel’s electricity networks, also featured in the debate. Some MEPs argued that tensions with Turkey are preventing the project from being implemented. However, the Commission did not announce a new measure concerning the interconnector in this debate, so the project’s status requires separate documentation before being presented as a new European decision.

Fitto also rejected the idea of choosing between solidarity with Greece and Cyprus and dialogue with Turkey. The Commission maintains that the EU must do both: defend its member states and interests while keeping open the channels through which Ankara can be engaged in de-escalation and conflict resolution.

In concluding the debate, Fitto reaffirmed “full solidarity” with Greece and Cyprus and said that a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue is necessary for a lasting reduction in regional tensions. No new sanctions and no suspension of EU–Turkey cooperation resulted automatically from the 8 October debate.

The political stake is therefore the criterion by which the Union will decide how far the revival of relations with Turkey can go. The Commission continues to regard Ankara as a strategic partner, but explicitly links closer relations to respect for member states, international law and tangible results in reducing tensions in the eastern Mediterranean and advancing the process of resolving the Cyprus issue.

The political stake is therefore the criterion by which the Union will decide how far the revival of relations with Turkey can go. The Commission continues to regard Ankara as a strategic partner, but explicitly links closer relations to respect for member states, international law and tangible results in reducing tensions in the eastern Mediterranean and advancing the process of resolving the Cyprus issue.

https://2eu.brussels/ro/news/comisia-leaga-aprofundarea-relatiei-cu-turcia-de-dezescaladarea-cu-grecia-si-de-progrese-in-dosarul-cipru