The participation of the Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, in the Informal Council of EU Foreign Ministers (Gymnich) in Brussels next week, is an opportunity to ascertain Ankara’s real attitude and intentions regarding its European course the Cyprus government said on Friday, noting that “we are prepared for all scenarios”.
Government Spokesperson, Konstantinos Letymbiotis, told the press after a meeting of the Cabinet, that the Cyprus Republic and Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos will deliver to Gymnich the intertemporal positions of the Republic which, in many cases, have been expressed by our European partners.
He went on to say that if Turkey is really interested in its EU course, then the Conclusions of the European Council last April, on the basis of which Turkey’s European path is determined, include a clear interconnection of this path with progress in the Cyprus issue.
Letymbiotis said that Nicosia is ready for all scenarios and hopes that Turkey will show a similar constructive attitude. In any case, he noted, the 27 Foreign Ministers of the EU member states will be meeting, in the presence of the visiting Turkish Foreign Minister to see for themselves, to be witnesses, and draw their own conclusions.
In another question, the Spokesperson responded that there is mobility in the Cyprus issue because of Cyprus President’s initiatives since he assumed office.
Letymbiotis expressed hope that there will be more mobility to lead to the resumption of the peace talks, adding that “our beneficial and constructive stance is acknowledged by the international community.”
He also said that the group on the Cyprus question is meeting on Friday and that this meeting is mainly for coordination purposes. He recalled that the National Council will convene on September 13th and the political leaders will exchange views in view of President’s travel to New York for the UN General Assembly.
In another question about comments made yesterday by Turkish Cypriot leader, Ersin Tatar, and his views on a possible tripartite meeting with the UN Secretary – General, the Spokesperson said that our side is in constant contact and communication with the United Nations.
He recalled that it is our side that has been pushing for a tripartite meeting which will be to the right direction. But he also noted once again that anything that deviates from the framework of the United Nations, as well as the acquis of the peace talks to date, cannot be accepted neither by the Cyprus Republic nor by the international community.
Asked about the ongoing backlash by the occupying regime over TUI’s decision to terminate day trips in the occupied areas and threats by the regime to open hotels and other accommodation premises in the fenced off town of Varosha, the Spokesperson said that any such reports are taken seriously and being assessed by our side.
He said that the situation is being monitored and the Cyprus Republic is taking all diplomatic measures available.
Letymbiotis added that these are the decisions of a private company and what we are doing as the Republic of Cyprus is with a view to safeguarding our interests.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.
Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
Cyprus joined the EU in 2004.
Turkey which aspires to join the Union was invited to the Gymnich meeting after a five-year hiatus.
