Several MEPs called, again, on Tuesday 24 November, for the European Union to impose further sanctions against Turkey.
In a plenary debate on the escalation of tensions in Varosha, many MEPs from all political groups, including Michael Gahler of the EPP (Germany), Nacho Sánchez Amor of the S&D (Spain) and Katalin Cseh of Renew Europe (Hungary), called for EU restrictive measures against Turkey, as the European Council of 10-11 December is due to discuss the issue.
Beyond this call, MEPs denounced the situation in Varosha and the words of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on a two-state solution for Cyprus. A “dangerous” solution, according to Mr Sanchez Amor, and one that “will never solve the conflict”, according to Mr Gahler.
Cypriot Giórgos Georgíou (GUE/NGL) pointed out that the Cyprus question would only be resolved if talks took place on the basis of a “bizonal and bicommunal island, with political equality, which will allow the sharing of maritime resources”. “The Cypriots must not be taken hostage to the nationalist intentions of Erdoğan”, denounced Ms Cseh.
These elements are included in a joint motion for a resolution by the GUE/NGL, Greens/EFA, S&D, ECR, Renew Europe and EPP groups, which will be put to the vote on Thursday 26 November. It condemns Turkey's illegal activities in Varosha, which undermine “mutual trust and the prospect of a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem by negatively modifying the situation on the ground, exacerbating divisions and embedding the permanent partition of Cyprus”.
The joint resolution therefore calls on the Turkish Government to reverse its decision and to avoid any unilateral action that could increase tensions on the island, including illegal exploratory drilling. “A lasting resolution of the conflict will only be achieved through dialogue, diplomacy and negotiations, in a spirit of goodwill and respect for international law”, the text says.
The six political groups are in favour of a “bicommunal and bizonal federation, a single international legal personality, a single sovereignty, a single nationality and political equality between the two communities”.
In addition to the possibility of imposing targeted sanctions, the resolution calls on the EU and its Member States to play a more active role in bringing negotiations under UN auspices to a successful conclusion. An active role that the EU is ready to take on, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, told MEPs.
See joint motion for a resolution: https://bit.ly/2J8LXbw (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)