The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy called for a reversal of Turkish actions in Varosi, which are contrary to UN Security Council resolutions, in a statement issued today on behalf of the 27 member states. The High Representative warns that the (Foreign) Ministers will consider Turkey's actions at their next meeting, and recalls the statement by the members of the European Council of 25 March 2021, which reaffirmed the EU's determination in the event of renewed challenges and unilateral action. in violation of international law, to use the means and options at its disposal to defend its own interests and the interests of its Member States, as well as to maintain regional stability. "
In particular, in his statement on behalf of the 27 EU Member States, the High Representative stated:
"The European Union strongly condemns the unilateral steps taken by Turkey and the unacceptable statements made by the Turkish President and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community on July 20, 2021 regarding the opening of the enclosed city of Varos."
"The EU welcomes the statement by the President of the United Nations Security Council on behalf of the Council on 23 July 2021, and in particular the condemnation of the Security Council and its deep regret over the unilateral action in Varosi, which contradicts previous statements and Security Council resolutions. "The EU also calls for an immediate reversal of these actions and for the reversal of all measures taken in Varosi since October 2020," he said.
It notes that the EU continues to be guided by the relevant UN Security Council resolutions on Varos, in particular Resolution 550 (1984) and Resolution 789 (1992), which consider settlement efforts unacceptable in any part of the Varosia by people outside its inhabitants, and who demand the transfer of this area to the United Nations administration ".
The High Representative notes that "no action should be taken in relation to Varosi that does not comply with these resolutions. Full compliance with and implementation of UN Security Council resolutions also calls for an immediate end to the restrictions on the free movement of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) in the Varos region. "The EU continues to hold the Turkish government accountable for the situation in Varosi."
"The EU reiterates the need to avoid unilateral action in violation of international law and renewed challenges, which could increase tensions on the island and jeopardize ongoing efforts to achieve common ground between the parties for a "Permanent settlement of the Cyprus issue, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions", warns Borel.
"The EU remains fully committed to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem on the basis of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation with political equality, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and in accordance with the founding principles on which the EU is based."
"It reiterates that it is vital that Turkey commits itself and contributes constructively to the resumption of negotiations on a comprehensive settlement, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions," he said.
"The EU will continue to fully support the efforts of the Secretary-General of the United Nations," he said.
He concludes by announcing that "the (Foreign) Ministers will consider their actions at their next meeting, in case of non-reversal of Turkey's actions that are contrary to UN Security Council Resolutions 550/84 and 789/92, after the declaration of the of the European Council of 25 March 2021, which reaffirmed the EU’s determination, in the event of renewed challenges and unilateral action in violation of international law, to use the means and options at its disposal to defend its interests and interests. of its Member States, as well as to maintain regional stability. "
Telephone communication Christodoulidis - Borel
Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulidis had a new telephone conversation with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borel.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, the communication took place in the context of the ongoing processes at European level for the illegal Turkish actions in the enclosed area of Famagusta.
Erdogan sentenced by UN Security Council
The UN Security Council unanimously called for a solution to the Cyprus problem "on the basis of a bi-communal and bi-zonal federation with political equality", and explicitly condemned Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his "unilateral actions" against him.
In a statement, the President of the Security Council for the current month, the French Permanent Representative to the UN, on behalf of the Security Council, reaffirmed Resolutions 550 and 789 on the status of Varosia, a statement made in a previous statement. the then chairman of the Security Council last October.
The important differences with the previous statement are that for the first time there is an explicit reference:
In condemnation of these proclamations, and not merely an expression of "deep concern".
To the Turkish leadership and to the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community.
The statement stressed that the Security Council requested that in addition to the International Atomic Energy Agency's ongoing inspections in Russia, that it monitor Russia's compliance with "the steps required by the IAEA Board".
Source: gr.euronews