Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the EU’s recent efforts to renew engagement with it are a positive development, but the revitalization of relations depends on tangible measures driven by the EU’s political determination and strategic vision.

The Foreign Ministry expressed Ankara’s expectation that the recommendations set out in the joint communication prepared by the EC and the High Representative will be implemented without further delays or additional preconditions.

On the Cyprus issue, it stressed that the report reflects the unrealistic and illegal views of the Greek Cypriot side of Greece, while ignoring the legitimate interests of Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Noting that the solution format for Cyprus includes the two parts of the island, the three guarantor powers (Türkiye, Greece and the United Kingdom) and the UN, he added that any future resolution requires the agreement of both parts of the island.

The EU’s statements on the Cyprus issue do not take into account the inherent rights of the Turkish Cypriot people, this demonstrates why EU involvement in a solution process is not a viable option, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said, adding that the EU has no authority to determine the borders of third countries.

Cyprus has been mired in a dispute between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots for decades despite a series of diplomatic efforts to reach a comprehensive solution. During ethnic attacks that began in the early 1960s, Turkish Cypriots were forced to retreat into enclaves for their own safety. In 1974, a Greek Cypriot coup aimed at the annexation of Cyprus by Greece led to the military intervention of Türkiye as a guarantor power to protect Turkish Cypriots from persecution and violence.

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