The Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) agreement, signed on Monday in Brussels, renders Ankara`s main argument that the presence of the Turkish army in Cyprus will contribute to the protection of the Republic of Cyprus from foreign intervention null and void, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has stressed.
The President also underlined that with the signing of this agreement Europe undertakes an active role in ensuring security and combating any foreign threat.
Invited to comment on the signing of the PESCO agreement and say how this can influence or have a positive impact on the chapter of Security and Guarantees, discussed in the framework of the negotiations for a Cyprus settlement, Anastasiades said that for the first time, and due to the Republic of Cyprus geostrategic position, a shield is created to protect the Republic of Cyprus as a European border from any foreign intervention. Cyprus is among the 23 EU member states which signed the agreement.
Anastasiades stressed that this is not an offensive accord but a defensive agreement, noting that this is very important. He added that in this way Turkey’s main argument that the presence of the Turkish army in Cyprus will contribute to the protection of the Republic of Cyprus from foreign intervention becomes null and void.
Invited to say what he has asked Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to convey to the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the latter’s forthcoming visit to Greece, Anastasiades said that “the Greek Prime Minister and we share the position that if there is political will on the part of Turkey to find a basis which will create prospects of establishing a normal state, away from any dependencies and with full respect of the UN principles and the acquis communaitaire, then this will be a major offer and contribution to efforts for solving the Cyprus problem.”
This is our joint position, he said, noting that if Turkey really wants, as it claims it does, to “be some steps ahead of us as regards the solution” then it has an opportunity to prove it.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Repeated UN-led peace talks have yet to lead to a political settlement. The latest such effort in July this year ended inconclusively.