European leaders are expected to give their support to the Republic of Cyprus at the European Council on Thursday 20 June in the face of illegal Turkish drilling.
According to several European sources, Heads of State and Government should be informed by Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, at the European Council's working session on Thursday afternoon, of the latest developments regarding the continuation of his illegal drilling activities in Cyprus' exclusive economic zone. Before the summit, the Cypriot President will meet the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk.
On Tuesday 18, in conclusions, the Ministers for European Affairs "invited the Commission and the European External Action Service to present without delay options for appropriate measures" and warned that "the EU will closely monitor developments and stands ready to react in an appropriate manner and in full solidarity with Cyprus" (see EUROPE 12277/7). According to several sources, the leaders could do the same and highlight their concern about these actions.
"I think the balance point is the one reached by the General Affairs Council, I think the European Council will be at the same balance point", a European source said, explaining that it was not yet clear whether leaders would simply refer to their ministers' conclusions or whether they would take them up more explicitly.
According to one diplomat, it will be too early on Thursday for the Commission and the EEAS to present their options. Speaking to the press on Tuesday, Commissioner Hahn explained that the measures could focus on EU funding for Turkey or on high-level meetings. According to a Cypriot source, the fact that the EEAS is mentioned should make it possible to consider sanctions.
Enlargement. As usual, in June, the European Council is expected to endorse the General Affairs Council's conclusions on enlargement. Despite the differences between Member States, this should be a simple formality. There was an agreement between the ministers to come back to the issue of opening EU accession negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia "and nobody wants to reopen that", explained a European diplomat (see EUROPE 12277/6).
Russia. As every six months, Member States should extend the economic sanctions against Russia by six months, after a briefing by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron on the discussions in Normandy format (Germany, France, Ukraine, Russia) and the implementation of the Minsk agreement.
According to a draft of conclusions of 17 June, the leaders will express their extreme concern about the Russian presidential decree of 24 April, which allows for the simplified issuance of passports in certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. "The European Council will continue to monitor the situation in eastern Ukraine and stands ready to consider other options, including the non-recognition of Russian passports issued in contradiction with the Minsk agreements, in close coordination with its international partners", the leaders could say.
Finally, the conclusions should reaffirm the importance of the Eastern Partnership and invite the Commission and the High Representative "to present, in early 2020, a new set of long-term objectives for the next Eastern Partnership Summit". (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant with the editorial staff)