Possible EU measures against Turkey ‘not a negative development’ says FM

The referral by the EU foreign ministers of the options paper to Coreper for possible legal measures against those involved in the illegal activities in Varosha was not a negative development, though it is not easy to get unanimity on such a decision, Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides said on Tuesday.

Speaking to state broadcaster CyBC, Christodoulides said that Cyprus, along with the commitment to adopt measures as a response to provocations in the fenced area of Varosha, promoted the proposal for confidence-building measures (CBMs) with the goal of resuming the talks.

On Monday, the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), consisting of the bloc’s foreign ministers, asked their countries’ permanent representatives committee in Brussels (Coreper) to work on possible legal measures against persons and entities with direct involvement in the opening of part of Varosha after last July.

This announcement sparked criticism by some circles in Cyprus against the EU over reluctance of imposing actual measures against Turkey.

Christodoulides said the referral to Coreper of some legal measures in the options paper was “not a negative development.” On the other hand, however, the minister pointed out that no timeframe was given on when this discussion would be completed with Nicosia’s goal being to keep the issue of Varosha a current one in the EU and UN.

He said no decisions were taken on Monday on possible measures against Turkey because his German counterpart had asked for more time to discuss the possible measures but also the impact of such a decision. Italy backed the motion while the Netherlands had taken a more negative approach, he said.

Since unanimity is required for the bloc to impose sanctions, the minister admitted that it would not be an easy road though most member states welcomed the options paper.

EU High Commissioner Josep Borrell conveyed after the meeting that the FAC considers that CBMs with regards to Varosha are of key importance and will help in the comprehensive solution of the Cyprus issue.

Christodoulides said President Nicos Anastasiades’ proposed CBMs on Varosha were still on the table.

“Our approach was to have a reaction by the EU but at the same time give Turkey a motive in relation, especially with the fenced area of Varosha, and adoption of CBMs,” he said.

He recalled that the CBMs provide among other things, for the Famagusta port operating under the European Commission and the return of the fenced area under UN, as a first step.

Christodoulides also said that the proposal calls for the opening of the Turkish ports and airports to Cyprus-flagged vessels at the same time with the operation of the Famagusta port for the direct export of goods. He said the adoption of such CBMs “would be a catalyst also for the resumption of the talks.”

Following Monday’s FAC results, main opposition Akel called on the government to finally come to grips with the fact that “the time of illusions has come to an end”.

Though seeking sanctions against Turkish actions was a just demand, the EU does not operate based on what’s just or principles, but on geopolitical interests, the party said, adding it has been warning the government of this for years.

Akel called on the government to focus on what has more serious possibility of curbing Turkish aggression, which is resuming the talks from where they left off in 2017 for a solution based on the agreed framework.

In response, government spokesman Marios Pelekanos called on Akel to honestly say whether they would have agreed to the resumption of the talks based on the demand by Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership for recognition of the north’s sovereignty for the talks to resume.