?he Cyprus issue is a European one, leaders of the MED9 countries stress in their Joint Declaration after meeting in Croatia, noting that Turkey’s concrete contribution to the swift resumption and successful conduct of negotiations remains crucial and is a key element in advancing EU-Turkey relations.
The Joint Declaration was issued after the MED9 Summit of the leaders of the nine Mediterranean countries, including President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides, that took place in in Split, Croatia.
The leaders reiterate in their Joint Declaration their “commitment to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus question within the UN framework, as defined by relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and in line with the EU acquis, values and principles”.
They state that “the Cyprus issue is a European one” and “express appreciation for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General, including his recent visit to Cyprus, and welcome his intention to convene an enlarged meeting with all parties aimed at resuming negotiations within the agreed framework, building on the existing body of convergences.”
They also welcome the appointment by the European Commission of Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto as Special Representative for Cyprus, as well as the March 2025 joint letter by the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission to the UN Secretary-General, reiterating the EU’s position and its readiness to actively support the UN-led process.
“Trkiye’s concrete contribution to the swift resumption and successful conduct of negotiations remains crucial and is a key element in advancing EU-Trkiye relations in line with the April 2024 European Council conclusions.”
They also refer to the fenced off area of Varosha in Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus, saying that “we also maintain that avoiding unilateral actions – including those in Varosha and along the ceasefire line – is essential to creating an environment conducive to the resumption of talks”.
“We underline the EU’s strategic interest in ensuring a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and in developing a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Trkiye in line with established conditionalities.”
They note that “Trkiye’s constructive engagement remains important in advancing the various areas of cooperation. In this context, refraining from unilateral actions in breach of international law and respecting the sovereignty and sovereign rights of EU Member States are essential”.
Issues, they add, “must be resolved by peaceful means and in full respect for international law, including the UNCLOS” and they underline that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all EU Member States must be upheld and their sovereign rights fully respected.
“De-escalation of tensions, full respect for international law and the promotion of good-neighbourly relations are essential for regional stability and cooperation in areas of common interest”.
Furthermore, in their Joint Declaration they refer to Cyprus and Schengen.
“While reiterating the importance of further strengthening the Schengen area, with a view to Cyprus’ accession, we welcome the positive findings of the Commission’s 2025/2026 Schengen Country Report of Cyprus and the start of the relevant discussions in the Council of the European Union” they state.
We look forward, they add, to the timely completion of the remaining steps, recognising that Cyprus’ full participation will strengthen the Schengen area’s collective capacity and security.
Finally, they welcome the establishment of the Cyprus Regional Aerial Firefighting Station (CRAFS) as an important first contribution at regional level to strengthening preparedness for and response to increasingly severe wildfires in the Mediterranean.
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.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, whose term nears its end, announced he would convene another meeting in broader format, after adequate preparation, but gave no timeline. He secured to that end the consensus of both sides and of the guarantor powers. María Angela Holguín, Guterres’ Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties. Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto acts as the European Commission’s Special Representative for Cyprus, succeeding EU special envoy Johannes Hahn.