The European Council has reminded Turkey of its Cyprus` related obligations, a position outlined in the Council conclusions, adopted on Thursday in Brussels.
“The outcome of the European Council is the result of a great effort and coordination between Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, who is currently on a visit to China, and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who represented Anastasiades at the EU Summit,” Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides said in a written statement, issued here today.
During a telephone conversation President Anastasiades thanked Tsipras for the impeccable cooperation and his strong support of Cyprus` positions at the Summit, he added.
The Spokesman referred to the adoption by EU leaders of an Action Plan, the full implementation of which by all participing states will contribute to the fulfillment of a road map to liberalise visas.
President Anastasiades was continuously in touch with the Greek Premier, he says, and the result was the inclusion in the Council conclusions of the position which reiterates that Turkey is obligated to implement the Road Map on visas liberalisation vis-a-vis Cyprus and that Ankara must fully implement the Readmission Agreement.
The conclusions also point out that any review of Turkey`s accession negotiations will be in accordance with the negotiating framework and the relevant conclusions which include Cyprus related obligations, the spokesman said.
Therefore, he explains, “what was made clear at the highest EU level is that any new action or process will not deviate from the existing framework, which includes specific per-existing commitments on the part of the candidate country.”
Cyprus was divided in 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. UN backed talks have resumed last May with a view to reunite the island under a federal roof.
Turkey, in spite of repeated calls from the EU, refuses to normalise relations with the Republic of Cyprus, which it does not recognise.
CNA/EPH/MM/2015
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY