Greece and Cyprus have expressed their appreciation for Turkey’s efforts to strengthen relations with the European Union (EU), but they have emphasized that any improvements should be gradual and not unconditional. On July 20, EU foreign ministers announced their willingness to re-engage with Turkey, but they did not offer a clear resumption of membership negotiations.
Turkey has been a candidate for EU membership for more than two decades, but discussions halted in 2016 due to concerns over the rule of law and human rights within the country. Additionally, the division of Cyprus between its Greek and Turkish Cypriot populations has been a source of tension between Greece and Turkey.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, both EU members, expressed their support for a Turkey-EU reconciliation but stressed the importance of a gradual approach that can be reversed if necessary. “Those two words should guide us. We can be optimistic, but we are not naive,” Mitsotakis stated after meeting with Christodoulides in Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus.
This cautious approach reflects the complex history of Turkey’s bid to join the EU. Christodoulides acknowledged that launching a positive agenda with Turkey also requires positive actions from Ankara regarding Cyprus. “It’s important that our EU partners share the same perspective,” he added.
Cyprus has been divided since a Turkish invasion in 1974, which occurred in response to a Greek Cypriot coup orchestrated by the military junta in power in Greece at the time. The internationally recognized Greek Cypriot government represents Cyprus in the EU.
Past peace negotiations aimed to unite the island under a two-zone federal system endorsed by the United Nations. However, in recent years, the Turkish Cypriot side has advocated for a two-state solution, which has been rejected by Greek Cypriots. Mitsotakis clarified, “Any thoughts of partitioning into two states are completely excluded from the discussion agenda.”
On Friday, Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar stated that the resumption of peace talks on Cyprus would only be possible if the Greek Cypriots accepted sovereign equality.
(Reporting By Michele Kambas; Editing by Conor Humphries)
Credit: The Star : News Feed
