On Thursday 24 June, the European Council reiterated the European Union’s readiness to engage with Turkey in a “progressive, proportionate, and reversible manner” in order to strengthen cooperation in areas of common interest, subject to conditions.
In its conclusions, which have changed little from the 21 June draft (see EUROPE 12747/2), it welcomes the calm in the Mediterranean, “which must be maintained”.
The EU will continue to work on the Customs Union as the technical work for its modernisation has started. “This mandate should be adopted by the Council of the EU, subject to further guidance from the European Council”, the leaders said. They also note the preparatory work for high-level dialogues with Turkey on issues of mutual interest.
The European Council also asks the Commission to make “formal proposals” for further assistance to Syrian refugees in Turkey. According to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the European Commission has proposed an agreement on around €3 billion of additional aid. “These are proposals that will soon be formally approved”, she explained.
In their conclusions, the EU leaders reiterate their commitment to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue “on the basis of a bi-communal and bi-zonal federation based on political equality” and the importance of the status of Varosha, in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
And lastly they express their concerns about the Rule of law in Turkey.
See the conclusions of the European Council: https://bit.ly/3dcz64q (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant with editorial staff)