Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has sent a letter to the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker stressing the need for the full and effective implementation of the Readmission Agreement and the Roadmap vis-a-vis Cyprus, prior to the visa liberalisation for Turkish nationals, and for the necessary and effective cooperation, Government Spokesman Nikos Christodoulides said on Sunday.
The letter was sent following the latest European Commission report on progress by Turkey on fulfilling the requirements of its Visa Liberalisation Roadmap.
Christodoulides noted, in a written statement, that President Anastasiades also underlined, in his letter, that statements on Turkey`s part are incompatible with the content of the Readmission Agreement and the Roadmap. The Spokesman pointed out that there are omissions in the Commission`s report which is not, as he noted, binding for the EU member states.
He added that the Republic of Cyprus has been following closely the route for the implementation of the Roadmap. He recalled that in 2013 and 2015 Turkey had sent letters to the Commission and the Council in which it underlined its long-standing rhetoric on the Cyprus problem, declaring that it will not implement the Readmission Agreement and the Roadmap vis-a-vis Cyprus.
Christodoulides said that in both cases, following representations by Nicosia and in cooperation with the Republic of Cyprus, the Council and the Commission replied to Turkey accordingly, saying that unilateral statements are legally null and void, that the EU comprises 28 member states, and calling for Ankara`s compliance.
At the same time, the spokesman added, the Republic of Cyprus received support from its partners, that collectively disapproved Turkish statements in successive European Council conclusions, and Ankara was called to implement both the Readmission Agreement and the Roadmap vis-a-vis all member states.
“The Readmission Agreement must be fully and effectively implemented visa-a-vis Cyprus as well,” Christodoulides underlined, noting that relevant statements made by Turkey are contrary to the letter and the spirit of what has been agreed and they must be withdrawn.
Turkey, which aspires to become an EU member state, does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member since 2004. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory.