On Thursday, President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides held separate talks with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and French President Emmanuel Macron, on the sidelines of the European Political Community Summit in Dublin, where the issue of the GSI electricity interconnection was discussed.
According to information received by CNA, the communication indicates that the research vessel Abeille Marengo is continuing its operations and is now in international waters. According to the update, the vessel experienced minor interference from a Turkish radio transmission, but operations are proceeding as normal.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Regarding the conversation President Christodoulides had on Thursday with the Executive Vice President of the European Commission and EU Special Representative for Cyprus, Raffaele Fito, it appears that the process toward Schengen accession is proceeding as planned.
President Christodoulides also discussed the matter yesterday in Antalya with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and as indicated by the discussions, according to the same briefing, the process is proceeding normally with regard to the part expected from the European Commission. Nicosia’s goal remains the same, as it looks forward to accession as soon as possible, within 2027, it is noted.
Regarding the Cyprus issue and communication with Mr. Fito concerning Turkey, the briefing indicates that Raffaele Fito will convey to the Turkish Foreign Minister that the resumption of negotiations on the Cyprus issue is “key” for Europe. It should be noted that the resumption of negotiations must begin from the point at which they were suspended in Crans-Montana in 2017.
If Turkey responds negatively, discussions on upgrading the customs union will not begin, it is noted in this regard.
The same sources note that Ankara’s interest in EU-Turkey relations centers on three issues: visa liberalization, the SAFE program, and the upgrading of the customs union. As they report, there has been pushback from member states on the first two issues, while regarding the customs union, it is believed that it will be easier to reach consensus among member states.
It is noted, however, that while the start of discussions on upgrading the customs union in exchange for the resumption of negotiations on the Cyprus issue may proceed in parallel, it would be a reversible process should Turkey fail to honor its commitments.
As for whether the ongoing diplomatic contacts suggest that Turkey will take the expected step on the Cyprus issue in exchange for the start of discussions on upgrading theassociation with the EU, the same sources assess that the indications received by António Guterres and Ursula von der Leyen point in that direction.
READ ALSO: The President Discussed It by Phone with Fito: The EU’s Role Is Crucial for Resuming Talks from Where They Were Interrupted in 2017 | AlphaNews
Source: CNA
