Conclusions on Turkey were adopted at the Summit – Special reference to the Cyprus issue

strong>held a strategic discussion on EU-Turkey relations, taking into account the joint communication of the High Representative and the Commission on the state of EU-Turkey political, economic and trade relations, he says, pointing out that the European Union has a strategic interest in a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and for the development of a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Turkey.

The European Council instructs the Permanent Representatives, respecting the competences of the relevant institutions, to promote the work on the recommendations of the joint communication in line with previous European Council conclusions and in a gradual, proportionate and reversible manner, subject to additional guidance from the European Council. Turkey's constructive commitmentwill contribute decisively to the promotion of the various areas of cooperation identified in the joint communiqué, the conclusions state.

In this context, the leaders stress that the European Union attaches particular importance to the resumption and progress of the talks on the settlement of the Cyprus issue to further strengthen EU-Turkey cooperation. Recalling its previous conclusions, the European Council remains fully committed to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue, within the framework of the United Nations, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and in accordance with the principles on which the Union and the acquis are based. The European Council welcomes the appointment of Maria Angela Holguin Quellard as the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Cyprus. The European Union is ready to play an active role in supporting all stages of the UN-led process, with all the appropriate means at its disposal, the “27” conclude.