The EU High Representative expressed hope that the discussion with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan would be the first step in restarting the dialogue on Cypriot
The geopolitical situation in the EU's neighborhood, as well as thorny issues that complicate Euro-Turkish relations, such as the Cyprus issue and the situation in the Middle East, were discussed during the working lunch that the 27 EU foreign ministers had with their Turkish counterpart , Hakan Fidan, today in Brussels, said the High Representative of the EU, Joseph Borrell.
- A clear message from the 27 Foreign Ministers to Fidan for Euro-Turkish interconnection with Cyprus (video)
During a press conference he gave, shortly after the end of the work of the informal Council of Foreign Affairs, Z. Borrell expressed his satisfaction with the participation of Hakan Fidan, pointing out that it is the first time in five years that the Minister of Foreign Affairs has been invited of Turkey in an informal EU Council.
Z. Borel said that the Cyprus issue was discussed in particular, which was mentioned by many member states at the working lunch with the Turkish foreign minister. “We have expressed the EU's solidarity with respect to the positions of Cyprus and our will to seek a solution through political dialogue,” Borrell said, expressing the hope that this invitation to Turkey's foreign minister “will be the first step to resuming of the dialogue process in order to find a solution to the Cyprus problem”. As he said, the work of the session was delayed due to this discussion.
- Lunch with Euro-Turkish and Cypriot cuisine on the menu. Fidan meets the “27”
Besides, when asked if Turkey requested the resumption of accession negotiations with the EU, the head of European diplomacy replied that Turkey is a candidate country for membership and will continue to be, and therefore its request for the resumption of negotiations is understandable. He noted, however, that no specific date was set for the start of negotiations from the Turkish side.
Kombos: A fundamental factor in the progress of the Euro-Turkish Cyprus issue
“The opportunity was given to the EU, both at the institutional level and at the level of the member states, to express with absolute clarity its positions around the Cyprus issue in relation to how this is an important fundamental factor in terms of progress in Euro-Turkish relations”, stated from Brussels, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, Konstantinos Kombos, shortly after the end of the working lunch that the 27 EU foreign ministers had with their Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan.
K. Kombos reported that “the discussion was long” with the invited Turkish Foreign Minister. As he said, the Cypriot side is “absolutely satisfied” with the “approach of the other member states on the issue”. “We had the opportunity to emphasize that there can be no disconnection of the Cypriots from any progress that may occur in the Euro-Turkish issue. Subsequently and during the progress of the discussion, issues were raised which are permanent positions of the Turkish side, issues which were answered with absolute clarity on the basis of international legality”, stated the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus.
