With 631 votes in favor, 3 against and 59, the EP resolution "on the escalation of tensions in Varosia following Turkey's illegal actions and the urgent need to resume talks" has just been adopted, following the adoption of three amendments yesterday and today, two of the ECR (European Conservatives and Reformists) and one of the EPP (European People's Party).
The resolution "condemns Turkey's illegal activities in Varosi", calls on the Turkish government "to reverse this decision and avoid unilateral actions", calls on the European Council to maintain its unanimous position on its unilateral and illegal actions To take action and impose severe sanctions in response to Turkey's illegal actions ", recalls that further sanctions" can only be avoided through dialogue, sincere cooperation and concrete progress on the ground "and called for for the reunification of Cyprus under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the United Nations ”.
In detail, the resolution: "Condemns Turkey's illegal activities in Varosi, in particular the partial" opening up "; stresses that the creation of a new event undermines mutual trust and the prospects for a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem, adversely aggravating the division and integrating the permanent division of Cyprus; warns of any change in the status quo in Varosi in violation of the aforementioned UNSC resolutions ”.
In addition, "urges the Turkish government to reverse this decision and to avoid unilateral actions that could cause further tensions on the island, in line with the recent UNHCR appeal; calls on Turkey to withdraw its troops from Cyprus, to return the Varosha region to its legal inhabitants under the UN Interim Administration under UNSCR 550 (1984) and to avoid any actions that change the demographic balance on the island through a policy of illegal settlements; stresses the need to implement the EU acquis in the whole island, after the settlement of the Cyprus problem; ”
The EP states that "it is convinced that a lasting solution to the conflict can only be found through dialogue, diplomacy and negotiations in good faith and in accordance with international law and reaffirms its belief that a lasting solution to the Cyprus problem will benefit every country in the region Cyprus, Greece and Turkey; calls on the European Council to maintain its unanimous position on Turkey's unilateral and illegal actions, to take action and to impose severe sanctions in response to Turkey's illegal actions; recalls that further sanctions can only be avoided through dialogue, sincere cooperation and concrete progress on the ground. "
The EP "underlines the call by the Secretary-General of the United Nations for the resumption of negotiations from where they left off in Crans-Montana in 2017 and stresses that this must be done on the basis of the Joint Declaration of the two leaders of 11 February 2014, the six points of the UN Secretary-General on 30 June 2017, and the convergences reached by the end of the conference; deplores the fact that the Turkish authorities at the highest level favor a two-state solution and urges Turkey to commit itself to in particular at the request of the Secretary-General of the United Nations; "
The EP "reiterates its support for a just, comprehensive and sustainable settlement based on a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with a single international legal personality, a single sovereignty and a nationality, and political equality between the two communities, as defined by the relevant resolutions in accordance with international law and the EU acquis, and on the basis of respect for the principles on which the Union is founded ".
"Expresses its concern that the illegal 'opening' of Varosia is aimed at changing the status of property in the region, thus undermining the prospects for the return of Varosia, as defined by the relevant UN resolutions, or through a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem; urges Turkey to refrain from settling illegally in Varosia with people other than its legal residents or to ask legal residents to return to their properties under military occupation. "
"It emphasizes that direct talks under the auspices of the UN on an agreed basis remain the only option to reach a solution that will reunite the island and its people, leading, among other things, to the normalization of relations between Cyprus and Turkey, improved prospects for calls for the delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone between Cyprus and Turkey, and the strengthening of EU-Turkey relations; calls for the start of negotiations for the reunification of Cyprus as soon as possible under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
"Supports both the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities in their efforts for peace and stability and calls on the Commission to implement immediately the second annual action plan to assist the Turkish Cypriot community, with the aim of supporting projects that promote reconciliation and improve infrastructure. calls, in particular, for the continued and increased support of civil society in both the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities, both through the EU assistance program and citizens, equality, rights and a values program ”.
"Calls on the EU and its Member States to play a more active role in the successful conclusion of the negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations, including the appointment of a representative to the UN Goodwill Mission, and to coordinate their efforts with the European Parliament to persuade Turkey to reverse its illegal activities in Varosi ".
"Underlines its support for the territorial integrity of Cyprus and calls on EU Member States to oppose any attempts by third countries to recognize a state on the island of Cyprus outside the Republic of Cyprus;"
The EP "regrets the statements made by the President of Turkey during his visit to Varos on 15 November 2020, which openly revealed the Ankara roadmap for the illegal opening of the enclosed city and its support for the permanent division of Cyprus · ”
"Calls on Turkey not to take unilateral action, such as illegal exploratory drilling, which further violates the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus, threatens to create new accidents in violation of the law of the sea, undermines the repetition of substantive and prospects for a comprehensive solution on the agreed basis, and do not favor good neighborly relations in the region. "
"Calls on the UN Mission in Cyprus to step up its efforts to monitor developments in Varosi;"
"Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, as well as the President, the Government and the Parliament of Turkey."
Source: KYPE