Southern EU leaders agreed on Tuesday the union’s active involvement in Cyprus talks upon their resumption is important so a reunited island remains a fully functional member of the EU and compliant with the acquis.
Leaders from France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal and Malta joined President Nicos Anastasiades at the 5th Southern EU Countries Summit, held at the Filoxenia conference centre in the capital.
Leaders also reiterated a call to Turkey to respect the sovereignty of Cyprus and to refrain from threat or actions that are contrary to international law.
“On this basis, a responsible and rules-based EU-Turkey energy dialogue could be mutually beneficial,” the Nicosia declaration agreed on by leaders said.
Regarding Ankara’s EU bid, the leaders agreed that Turkey must fulfil all its pending obligations in the negotiating framework to move forward.
Part of the obligations include normalising relations with Cyprus and lifting restrictions to Turkey’s ports and airports towards Cyprus and EU companies associated with the island.
Following the summit, Anastasiades said: “I am completely satisfied that the Nicosia Declaration inscribes objectively the problems in question, pointing out also the need for Turkey to fulfil all its obligations toward Cyprus, including cooperation as well as effective implementation of the Readmission Agreement with the European Union, without discriminations.”
Anastasiades said he briefed the leaders on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue, and that he reiterated his full support for the UN Secretary General’s and his special envoy’s efforts to have talks resume.
“What we look forward to is to achieve a solution that will be functional so that it will be viable, always on the basis of the resolutions of the Security Council of the United Nations.”
He added that the solution will create a functional state with the EU, and benefit both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
On energy, Anastasiades said that there is a necessity to push forward with the EastMed pipeline for the transfer of natural gas, which will be a “decisive contribution” to the energy security being sought by the EU.
The president thanked the leaders for their support in Cyprus’ search for natural gas in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and for the “support and solidarity they have been demonstrating over the years.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Anastasiades met separately with the leaders of the southern EU countries attending the summit, where they discussed bilateral cooperation, energy, security, and the Cyprus problem.
