The European Council “recalls its previous conclusions” and remains “fully committed to the overall settlement of the Cyprus issue in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions”, the draft conclusions of the forthcoming summit of EU Heads of State and Government say. (June 24-25), which was sent to the 27 national delegations and came to the knowledge of KYPE.
In the same draft text, the EU-27 regrets that “the informal meeting in Geneva under the auspices of the United Nations did not pave the way for the resumption of formal negotiations” and reiterates that “the European Union will continue to plays an active role in supporting the process ”.
More specifically, according to the draft conclusions sent to the 27 national delegations and made known to the KYPE, the 27 state that “the European Council returned to the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the European Union relations with Turkey, as agreed in March, He recalled the EU 's strategic interest in a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the development of a co – operation and mutually beneficial relationship with Turkey. It welcomes the continuing de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean. “
“The European Council reiterates the EU's readiness to work with Turkey in a gradual, proportionate and reversible way to strengthen cooperation in various areas of common interest, subject to the conditions set out in March and previous European Council conclusions,” it added. .
“In this context, it notes the start of work at the technical level for the modernization of the EU-Turkey customs union and recalls the need to address the current difficulties in the implementation of the customs union,” it said.
The European Council “also notes the preparatory work for high-level dialogues with Turkey on issues of mutual interest, such as public health, climate, counter-terrorism and regional issues”.
The EU-27 also notes in parentheses (meaning under discussion) that “[on the situation of Syrian refugees in Turkey, the European Council notes the Commission proposal to continue funding for Syrian refugees and host communities in Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon and seeks its speedy approval].
In addition, the EU-27 notes that “the rule of law and fundamental rights in Turkey remain a key concern. “Dialogue on such issues remains an integral part of the EU-Turkey relationship.”
Finally, for Cyprus, “the European Council recalls its previous conclusions and remains fully committed to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Regrets that the informal meeting in Geneva under the auspices of the United Nations did not pave the way for the resumption of formal negotiations. The European Union will continue to play an active role in supporting the process. ”
As for Russia, the draft text states that “according to its conclusions of 24-25 May 2021, the European Council returned to relations with Russia, on the basis of a report by the High Representative and the Commission”.
On migration, the draft notes that “the European Council discussed the migration situation on the various routes. While measures taken by the EU and the Member States have reduced the total number of illegal border crossings in recent years, developments on some routes are a cause for concern and require vigilance and urgency. action.”
“In order to avoid the loss of human lives and reduce the pressure on Europe's borders, mutually beneficial partnerships and cooperation with countries of origin and transit will be intensified, as an integral part of the European Union's external action.”
“The approach will be realistic, flexible and individualized and will make coordinated use, as Team Europe, of all available EU and Member State instruments and incentives. It should address all routes and be based on an approach of the whole route, in close cooperation with the UNHCR and IOM “.
To this end, the European Council calls on the Commission and the High Representative, in cooperation with the Member States, to take swift action on specific countries of origin and priority transit, setting out objectives, specific support measures and timetables, and calls on the Commission to make the best use of at least 10% of the NDICI funding for migration-related actions. “
“The European Council calls on the Commission to keep the Council regularly informed of progress on this issue.”
“The European Council condemns and rejects any attempt by third countries to organize migrants for political purposes.”
In addition, on the subject of Covid19, the European Council draft notes that it “welcomes the progress made in vaccination and the overall improvement of the epidemiological situation, while emphasizing the need to be vigilant in developments, in particular the emergence and spread of mutations”.
“The agreements reached on the EU digital COVID certificate and on the revision of the two Council recommendations on intra-EU travel and unnecessary travel to the EU will facilitate safe cross-border travel. “Member States shall implement them in such a way as to ensure a full return to free movement as soon as the state of public health so permits.”
“The European Council reaffirms the EU's commitment to international solidarity in response to the pandemic. “Ongoing work to speed up vaccine exchange and boost global vaccine production must move forward quickly.”
“The European Council welcomes the decision taken by the 74th World Health Assembly to establish a Special World Health Assembly in November 2021 on the Framework Convention on Pandemic Preparedness and Response.”
It also states that “the European Council [discussed the initial lessons that can be learned from the pandemic based on the Commission report]. It calls on the incoming Presidency to step up its efforts to strengthen the EU's preparedness, response capacity and resilience in future crises. “
Finally, on the economic recovery, the draft text notes “the European Council examined the implementation of the Next Generation EU. It welcomes the timely entry into force of the Own Resources Decision, which has allowed the Commission to start lending resources to the new generation of the EU to support a full and inclusive recovery and the Union's green and digital transitions. “
“The European Council encourages the Commission and the Council to work swiftly on national recovery and resilience plans, so that Member States can make full use of the funding potential of the Recovery and Resilience Facility, and underlines the importance of effective and timely implementation. of the plans ”.
“In this context, the European Council welcomes the EU 's primary objectives of the action plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights, according to the Porto Declaration.”
“The European Council approves the draft Council Recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area”.
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