The European People’s Party (EPP) has condemned the ongoing provocations of Turkey against Cyprus` sovereignty, in the framework of the EPP Summit held in Brussels on Thursday.
EPP leaders have also called for an immediate de-escalation of the situation to maintain peace and stability in the region.
According to a written statement by the EPP President Joseph Daul: “It is unacceptable that Turkey, a NATO member, continues to deliberately instigate conflict and raise tensions against Cyprus”.
EPP leaders expressed “grave concerns about Turkey’s continued aggressive actions in the Eastern Mediterranean, and in particular the escalated violations of Cyprus’ sovereignty and sovereign rights over its territorial waters, and Exclusive Economic Zone”.
“Such behaviour destabilises the security in the area and contradicts Turkey’s obligations to respect good neighbourly relations with all EU member states”, they noted.
Furthermore, they stated that “the security in the Mediterranean must not be put at risk. We are calling on Turkey to immediately refrain from future aggression and respect the territorial integrity of Cyprus”, EPP leaders said.
“Turkey must also open a dialogue with Greece to allow for the immediate release of the two Greek soldiers arrested on 1 March”, according to the EPP.
Furthermore, the EPP expressed solidarity, adding that it “stands committed and united in its support of Cyprus, as well as Greece, in the face of increasing aggressive actions from Turkey that compromise peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean”.
“The EU-Turkey Summit in Varna, under the Bulgarian EU Presidency, is an opportunity for Turkey to move beyond the current impasse and improve the relations with the countries in the region”, EPP leaders noted.
Last month, a drill ship contracted by Italian energy company Eni to explore offshore Cyprus left the area, after Turkish warships blocked its path to its target in Block 3 of Cyprus’ EEZ.
Turkey does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state since 2004. Cyprus has been divided since the Turkish invasion of the island in 1974.