Our View: EU Council statement keeps everyone satisfied

President Anastasiades was satisfied with the statement on Turkey that was unanimously approved by the 27 member-states of the European Council, said government spokesman Kyriakos Koushos in a written announcement. The president welcomed references in support of a comprehensive settlement, to respect UN resolutions on Varosha, the need for de-escalation in the eastern Mediterranean to be maintained as well as to earlier Council decisions about the protection of the interests of the Union and member-states, said Koushos.

There were reports that the final statement was an improvement on two earlier versions proposed, which the government had objected to, but there can be no complaint about what appeared on Thursday night. On paper, at least, the Council set conditions for the Union’s dialogue with Turkey on the customs union, people’s mobility (visas) and other issues.

“Provided that the current de-escalation is sustained and that Turkey engages constructively, and subject to the established conditionalities set out in previous European Council conclusions, in order to further strengthen the recent more positive dynamic, the European Union is ready to engage with Turkey in a phased, proportionate and reversible manner to enhance cooperation in a number of areas of common interest,” said the statement.

The Cyprus government secured something it could present to Greek Cypriots as important, while the EU-Turkey positive agenda has been set in motion, with Council authorising the Commission to start talks with Turkey on the Customs Union – addressing the difficulties in its implementation as well as working on its modernisation. Talks on other bilateral issues such as public health and counter-terrorism are on the agenda as well as visas.

This outcome was widely expected, especially as Turkey had done what was asked. The illegal drilling had stopped, bilateral talks with Greece resumed and it even took part in the failed attempt by UN Secretary-General to kick-start the Cyprus peace process. Anastasiades won a small moral victory for his domestic audience, while EU-Turkey talks will proceed as planned, without any practical obstacles.

Meanwhile, the vetoing by Poland and the Baltics of the France and Germany’s proposal to seek a summit with President Vladimir Putin, puts into perspective what the Cyprus government presents as achievements at the European Council. Cyprus has never managed to block Brussels talks with President Erdogan, despite the illegal drilling, threats to settle Varosha and the escalation of tension.

An alliance of four member-states, undoubtedly, has more power, but could it also be the case that their concerns about Russia’s behaviour are taken more seriously and considered more justified than Cyprus’ concerns about Turkey? And why is Cyprus finding it increasingly more difficult to build its own alliance within the EU? These are questions the government would do well to answer.