Deputy Minister for European Affairs, Marilena Raouna welcomed on Tuesday the confirmation of the agreed positions of the EU with regard to Turkey’s Cyprus-related obligations, the linkage of progress in EU-Turkey relations with tangible steps by Ankara towards the resumption of negotiations on the Cyprus issue, as well as the strengthening of the EU’s role through the appointment of the European Commission’s Special Envoy for Cyprus, Johannes Hahn, in close coordination with the UN and the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, María Ángela Holguín.
In a written statement on the conclusions of the General Affairs Council, Raouna notes that ‘today the EU’s support for the efforts undertaken by the Republic of Cyprus towards the resolution of the Cyprus issue was once again reaffirmed, as well as the EU’s full commitment to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, within the agreed United Nations framework.’
As she adds, this is done ‘in accordance with all relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the principles on which the Union is founded and the European acquis.’
At the same time, she welcomes ‘the confirmation of the agreed positions of the EU with regard to Turkey’s Cyprus-related obligations, the Cyprus issue, Varosha and the Eastern Mediterranean.’
In the same context, she says, reference is also made to ‘the call on Ankara, inter alia, to fulfil all of its Cyprus-related obligations, to contribute tangibly to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue, including its external aspects, and to fully respect all relevant UN Security Council resolutions, in particular resolutions 541, 550, 789 and 1251.’
The Deputy Minister additionally welcomes ‘the confirmation of the framework decided on the basis also of the conclusions of the European Council of April 2024 and the clear linkage of progress in EU-Turkey relations with tangible steps by Turkey towards the resumption of negotiations for the resolution of the Cyprus issue on the agreed basis of settlement.’
As she underlines, ‘in this context, it is particularly important to strengthen the paragraph on the Cyprus issue, with the addition of a reference to the appointment of the European Commission’s Special Envoy for Cyprus, Mr Hahn, and the readiness of the Council to cooperate closely with him, upgrading and legitimising, on behalf of the Member States, his presence and role.’
She notes that ‘equally important is the message of EU support for the efforts undertaken by the UN Secretary-General, also through the appointment of his Personal Envoy, Ms Holguín.’
In her written statement, Raouna points out that only a few days before the Republic of Cyprus assumes the Presidency of the Council of the EU, ‘during which enlargement will constitute one of our key priorities, I welcome the sincere discussion on enlargement that took place at the General Affairs Council and the broad consensus that was achieved’ with regard to the assessment of the progress recorded by each of the enlargement partners during the current year.
She further notes that although Hungary did not give its consent to the Conclusions document due to its objections regarding Ukraine’s accession perspective, ’26 EU Member States approved the document, which will constitute the roadmap on the basis of which our Presidency will proceed over the next six months, with a view to translating the EU’s political commitment into tangible progress for all partners, always on the basis of the strict but fair conditionality that has been established, as well as in accordance with the principle of equal merit.’
According to the Deputy Minister, ‘especially under the current geopolitical conditions, EU enlargement constitutes a tool capable of contributing to the strengthening of peace, security, stability and prosperity on our continent and is, therefore, a strategic necessity.’ As she notes, ‘in this context, the EU’s commitment to the accession perspective of Ukraine and Moldova, as well as of the candidate countries from the Western Balkans, was reaffirmed today.’
At the same time, she notes that ‘we also call on all partners to respond to the commitments they have undertaken vis-à-vis the EU and to fully align with the fundamental principles and values of the EU.’ Raouna particularly welcomes ‘the fact that the accession perspective for the Western Balkans, after years of stagnation, now constitutes a realistic prospect.’
More specifically, she states that ‘Montenegro is entering a decisive phase of its accession path and the Cypriot Presidency is called upon to establish the working group that will be tasked with drafting its Accession Treaty to the EU.’ With regard to Albania, she notes that ‘provided that Albania demonstrates the necessary progress on the fundamentals during the next six months, Cyprus will contribute to the transition to the next important stage of the country’s accession process.’
As regards Serbia, she stresses that ‘the Cypriot Presidency will contribute decisively to addressing the challenges faced by Serbia, pushing for the return of its accession path onto a positive trajectory.’ Referring to Eastern Europe, she points out that ‘the progress made by Ukraine, under extremely difficult conditions, as well as by Moldova, is also noteworthy.’
As she underlines, ‘Cyprus will continue to support them tangibly during the next six months, doing everything possible within the framework of the applicable methodology, so that their accession path may advance at a rapid pace.’
With regard to the fundamental principles of the Union, she notes that ‘the EU is, first and foremost, a Union founded on the fundamental values of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and international legality.’
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
In 2025 the Secretary-General hosted two informal meetings on Cyprus, in March in Geneva and in July in New York, while a tripartite meeting with the Cyprus leaders was also held in late September, at the end of the UN General Assembly High Level Week. An informal meeting in broader format is expected later this year.