Cypriot MEPs on Saturday called on EU institutions to change their view that Turkey is seen as a strategic partner.

They also highlighted the importance of Cyprus leveraging the opportunity created by the strengthening of European defence and security, from which Turkey seeks to benefit.

These positions were expressed to the Cyprus News Agency following Turkey’s recent progress report which included specific measures that should be intensified by the European Parliament to promote a solution that ensures peace, stability and security in Cyprus.

The European Parliament must utilise every institutional means to increase pressure on Ankara, Disy MEP Loucas Fourlas said.

“The discussion surrounding Turkey’s situation is not a theoretical exercise. It is a political necessity. It is a matter of respecting the values of the European Union and, above all, a matter of vital importance for Cyprus,” he said.

“Turkey continues to flagrantly violate international law, our sovereign rights, and European principles and values. The occupation of European territory, the ongoing military presence in Cyprus, and the persistent aggressive rhetoric against the Republic of Cyprus cannot remain unanswered”.

The European Parliament, he said, “must utilise every institutional tool to intensify pressure on Ankara. This means clear messages in the progress report, as well as consistency in funding and the customs union. The ‘carrot and stick’ approach must be transformed into a strategy of responsibility – ie, conditions for each step forward and clear sanctions for any deviation”.

Fourlas said Cyprus should make use of its institutional voice, in cooperation with other countries that share similar concerns about Turkey’s democratic deviations, adding that peace and stability in the eastern Mediterranean depend on a just resolution of the Cyprus issue. This is a European matter, not a bilateral problem, he added.

“Persistence is required so that Turkey is held accountable and made to adapt, rather than rewarded for stagnation,” he said.

Fellow Disy MEP Michalis Hadjipantela emphasised the need to exert pressure, supported by European partners, “on the occupying power to respect its obligations to the international community and the people of Cyprus.

“Turkey continues to violate international law by maintaining troops in occupied Cyprus and challenging the sovereignty of an EU member state.”

He noted that Cyprus can leverage the opportunity created by the strengthening of European defence and security, from which Turkey seeks to benefit, adding that Turkey “cannot participate in security planning as long as it continues to violate international law and unlawfully occupies the northern part of our homeland”.

Akel’s Giorgos Georgiou said the debate on Turkey’s accession report held last week was the culmination of a strenuous effort that took place over the past months. Positive references, he said, include “strong criticism of Turkey’s rule of law, and human rights record”.

However, he pointed out that the reality within the European institutional framework is different. “Currently, the institutions regard Turkey as a strategic partner. They open doors to an upgraded customs union and visa liberalisation. They offer a strategic partnership instead of accession – ie, more privileges without obligations”.

Earlier this week former EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn was appointed as the Commission President’s Special Envoy to support UN led efforts to reunify Cyprus.