EUMed9 calls on Turkey to reverse Varosha’s moves (updated)

The Southern European Group (EUMed) on Friday called on Turkey to accept Cyprus’s invitation to engage in dialogue on the delimitation of their sea areas and to stop illegal actions in the fenced area of ​​Varosha.

In a statement after the 8th EUMed summit held in Athens, the heads of state and government of Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia and from Spain said the proposals for a two-state solution were “unacceptable”.

In their references to Cyprus, they reaffirmed their strong commitment to a viable comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus question based on a bi-communal and bi-horizontal federation with political equality, as set out in the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, which, they said, “are binding on all, and in line with the EU acquis, values ​​and principles.

The group also said that efforts to resume negotiations should not be further undermined by illegal and provocative behavior in the maritime areas and on the territory of Cyprus. They condemned Turkey’s illegal actions in the fenced area of ​​Varosha and called for their cancellation in accordance with the Presidential Declaration of the Security Council of July 23, 2021 and the declaration of the High Representative on behalf of the European Union of the 27 July 2021.

They also called on Turkey to accept Cyprus’s invitation to initiate a dialogue on the delimitation of the maritime zones between their coasts concerned, in particular by submitting the issue to the International Court of Justice.

Citing the conclusions of the European Council on Turkey’s behavior in the Eastern Mediterranean, they declared themselves determined, if necessary, “to use the instruments and options available to the European Union to defend its interests and those of its member states as well. than to defend regional stability.

They reaffirmed their willingness to engage with Turkey in a progressive, proportionate and reversible manner to strengthen cooperation in a number of areas of common interest, subject to compliance with the conditionalities set by the European Council of last June.

Previously, President Nicos Anastasiades informed the leaders of Nicosia’s latest initiative, but also of a regional action plan to deal with the consequences of climate change.

He said they had also discussed the issue of migration affecting frontline states, including Cyprus, which has received flows of migrants mainly from Turkey.

Anastasiades also said that he informed the leaders of “Turkey’s” illegal and internationally condemned actions against the Republic of Cyprus, whether on land or at sea and / or of the particularly unacceptable demands for a change in the basis of the solution of the Cyprus problem “.

He said he reiterated to his colleagues “that we remain firmly committed to finding a solution which should be based on international law”.

He welcomed the unanimous position of the leaders on the issue, in accordance with the statement.

In their own statements, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, French President Emanuel Macron and Maltese Prime Minister Robert Ambela expressed their support and solidarity with Cyprus.