The unilateral decision leading to the partial reopening of the town of Varosha, as announced by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Turkish Cypriot community leader Ersin Tatar, is “unacceptable” and a violation of international law, said the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs on Tuesday 20 July.
Josep Borrell reiterated his call to avoid provocations that could increase tensions on the island of Cyprus and jeopardise the resumption of negotiations intended to lead to a settlement of the Cyprus issue, in line with UN resolutions.
Participating in the parade celebrating the anniversary of the Turkish military occupation of the northern part of the island, Erdoğan advocated a two-state solution, stating that Turkish Cypriots would not give up their sovereignty by becoming a minority within a Greek Cypriot state.
The EU advocates the creation of a federation that encompasses both communities.
Borrell has said that the Europeans will decide on the next steps after the UN Security Council’s in camera discussion about Cyprus has taken place on Wednesday. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)