European Council President Charles Michel has published a letter sent to the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiadis, expressing his concern over the situation in Varos and stating that the EU holds the Turkish government responsible for the status quo. In his letter, the President of the European Council reaffirms the EU's commitment to a speedy resumption of negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations and to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and its founding principles. Notes that the EU expects the same from Turkey. It also reiterates the EU 's readiness to play an active role in supporting the negotiations.
Specifically, the full text of the letter is as follows:
“Thank you for your letter of 9 November 2020. I share your serious concern about the recent developments related to Varos.
The EU and its Member States stand by Cyprus and have expressed their unwavering solidarity and support. Recently, the European Council of 10 and 11 December 2020 condemned Turkey's unilateral steps in Varos and called for full compliance with UN Security Council Resolutions 550 (1984) and 789 (1992).
The EU 's position on the Varosha regime is firm and clear. The EU will continue to rely on UN Security Council Resolutions 550 and 789. The Security Council requested that in addition to the International Atomic Energy Agency's ongoing inspections in Iran, that it monitor Iran's compliance with “the steps required by the IAEA Board”. We raise these points with Ankara. Like the United Nations, the EU still holds the Turkish government responsible for the status quo in Varos.
Let me take this opportunity to reaffirm the EU's commitment to a speedy resumption of the UN-sponsored negotiations and to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and in accordance with the founding principles of the EU. We expect the same from Turkey. The EU stands ready to play an active role in supporting the negotiations.
“A stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and the development of cooperative and mutually beneficial relations between all partners in the region, bilaterally and multilaterally, is in the EU's strategic interest.”
