Turkey may be a key partner concerning counter-terrorism but the EU needs better cooperation regarding Syria and the Cyprus issue, EU Council President Donald Tusk said on Sunday.
Speaking to the press on his arrival to the EU – Turkey Summit, Tusk said following consultations an agreement has been reached on the Summit conclusion and expressed hope that all parties concerned will approve the document.
“After many weeks of hard work and staff talks, we have reached an agreement which I hope will be accepted by all parties concerned,” he said, adding that this summit is not only about stemming the migration flows to the EU, but also about the “a wider dimension, namely reenergising our relations with Turkey, including the accession process.”
“Turkey is a key partner regarding counter-terrorism, we need also better cooperation when it comes to the situation in Syria and of course when it comes to the Cyprus issue,” he added, noting that recent days have also shown how important cooperation is in geopolitical and strategic context.
The EU, he pointed out, should not be naive, adding Turkey is not the only key to solving the migration crisis. “The most important one is our responsibility and duty to protect our external borders, we cannot outsource this obligation to any third country,” he stressed.
Turkey, whose troops occupy Cyprus` northern part since they invaded in 1974, does not recognise Cyprus and refuses to normalise relations with Nicosia, as prescribed by EU decisions. Cyprus objects to the opening of specific chapters if Turkey does not meet its EU obligations.
Earlier today, Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides told CNA that no agreement had been reached on the Summit conclusions.