The EU has once more stressed the need to respect the sovereignty of Member States over their territorial sea, in the European Commission`s progress report on Turkey 2014, in which it is also underlined that Turkey is expected support with constructive statements and concrete action the solution of the Cyprus problem.
According to EU sources, the inclusion of the issue regarding the Turkish threats against Cyprus`s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) was included in the report last night by EU Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fuele, after a letter sent by President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades to current President of the Commission, Manuel Barroso, new President of the Commission Jean Claude Juncker, President of the European Council Herman van Rompuy and President of the European Parliemant Martin Schultz.
According to the European Commission`s Progress Report on Turkey, Turkey issued statements and engaged in actions challenging the Republic of Cyprus’ right to exploit hydrocarbon resources in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone for the benefit of all Cypriots.
Last week, Turkey issued a NAVTEX (Navigational Telex), a notice to mariners advising that it was reserving areas south of Cyprus for seismic surveys from October 20 to December 30.
It is noted that the EU stressed the sovereign rights of EU Member States which include entering into bilateral agreements, and exploring and exploiting their natural resources in accordance with the EU acquis and international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The EU also stressed the need to respect the sovereignty of Member States over their territorial sea.
As regards the Cyprus issue, it is noted that Turkey supported the resumption of the fully-fledged settlement talks between the leaders of both communities in Cyprus under the good offices of the UN Secretary-General, but also that “Turkey is expected to follow up this support with constructive statements and concrete action”.
It adds that as emphasised in the Negotiating Framework and Council Declarations, Turkey is expected to actively support the negotiations towards a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement of the Cyprus issue within the UN framework, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and in line with the principles on which the EU is founded and that Turkey’s commitment in concrete terms to such a comprehensive settlement remains crucial.
“Statements that are not conducive to creating a positive atmosphere in the context of the ongoing settlement talks should be avoided”, it is added.
The report makes references to the humanitarian issue of the missing persons in Cyprus, noting that in the Cyprus v. Turkey case, the issues of missing persons and restrictions on the property rights of Greek Cypriots displaced or living permanently in the northern part of Cyprus remain pending.
Although it points out that Turkey granted the Committee on Missing Persons access to one further fenced military zone in the northern part of Cyprus, it is stressed that the process of granting the Committee full access to all relevant archives and military areas needs to be expedited.
“Turkey has not fulfilled its obligation to ensure full and non-discriminatory implementation of the Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement and has not removed all obstacles to the free movement of goods, including restrictions on direct transport links with Cyprus”, it further adds.
Noting that there was no progress on normalising bilateral relations with the Republic of Cyprus, it is added that Turkey has not lifted its veto of Cyprus’ membership of several international organisations, such as the OECD.
The report refers to the Greece – Turkey relations, noting that “the threat of casus belli in response to the possible extension of Greek territorial waters, as made in a Turkish Grand National Assembly resolution in 1995, still stands”.
“Greece and Cyprus made formal complaints about repeated and increased violations of their territorial waters and airspace by Turkey, including flights over Greek islands”, the report says.
As regards the visa regime, it is recalled that Turkey introduced a new system to obtain visas via the internet (‘e-visas’) with a view to remove the possibility to issue visas at border crossing points and put an end to the long queues of visa applicants at Turkey’s borders.
“By referring applicants from the Republic of Cyprus to the country option‘ Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus’, the e-visa system creates a de facto discrimination which may also limit their mobility”, the report underlines.
It also points out that Turkey still needs to align with the EU visa requirements and exemptions and harmonise its visa policy towards Cyprus.
The Commission`s 2014 Progress Report on Turkey highlights a number of important steps taken by Turkey over the past 12 months but at the same time, the report emphasises a number of concerns.
The report says that it is in the interest of both Turkey and the EU that the opening benchmarks for chapters 23 – Judiciary ad Fundamental Rights, and 24- Justice, Freedom and Security, are agreed upon and communicated to Turkey as soon as possible, with a view to enabling the opening of negotiations under these two chapters.
Cyprus, a full EU member state since 2004, is divided by Turkish military troops since 1974. Turkey still occupies 37% of Cyprus` territory.
