The Greek Presidency of the EU handled in an extremely satisfactory manner the Turkish provocations against Cyprus during the EU-Turkey Association Council, which took place in Luxembourg on June 23, the Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs says in a press release.
After remarks by a Cypriot MEP, the Ministry clarifies that the Greek Presidency, especially Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Evangelos Venizelos, who chaired the meeting, handled the issue in `an extremely satisfactory manner`, noting that Venizelos read out the EU position of the association councils, which stresses the need for Turkey to meet its obligations towards the Republic of Cyprus without further delay, as set out in its negotiating framework.
The Ministry points out that in reply Turkish Minister for Europe Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu read out extracts from the Turkish statement, and reiterated that for Ankara the Cyprus issue was not linked to Turkey`s EU course.
Venizelos noted that Turkey had certain obligations towards the EU, a member of which was the Republic of Cyprus, adding that Turkey could not ignore that reality.
The Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that the government commented officially on the EU position, as well as the Turkish statement.
It adds that the governments of Greece and Cyprus are in constant contact and are cooperating closely.
Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Turkey, aspiring to join the EU, has yet to meet its obligations towards Cyprus, emanating from EU decisions.