Discussion on draft for EU’s Varosha options paper before Foreign Affairs Council

The discussion on the draft options paper on the EU’s response to Turkey’s actions in Varosha will be continued at the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) on Monday.

The Cyprus News Agency said the draft was discussed on late Wednesday afternoon during the meeting of the permanent representatives of the member states (Coreper) in preparation for the next meeting of the EU foreign ministers.

The options paper was prepared by the European External Action Service after being given a mandate by the previous FAC. The first draft of the document circulated late last week leading to consultations among the member states. The document is intended to serve as a guide to the council on possible actions if Turkey does not reverse its actions in Varosha.

According to information on the draft’s contents so far, the EU’s options include limiting funds intended for Turkey from the European Investment Bank or from pre-accession funding, the possibility of freezing high level EU-Turkey dialogues, as well as targeted legal measures against persons directly involved in illegal actions in Varosha.

The text is also expected to refer to the need to restart negotiations towards the solution of the Cyprus problem, and to call the sides to dialogue on natural gas and energy cooperation in the context of the green transition.