The European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee adopted a resolution on Turkey yesterday, with 63 votes in favor, 7 against and 2 abstentions. The resolution supports the negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem, calls on Turkey to start withdrawing its troops from Cyprus and is in favor of promoting chapters 23 and 24 of its accession negotiations; At the same time, the resolution calls on Turkey to transfer the besieged city of Famagusta to the United Nations and at the same time calls on the Republic of Cyprus to open the port of Famagusta, under EU supervision, for direct trade, in a legal and acceptable manner.
The resolution emphasizes that the European Parliament unreservedly supports the ongoing negotiations for the reunification of Cyprus under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
He also stressed that a fair and sustainable settlement of the Cyprus problem was urgent and called on Turkey and all stakeholders to work intensively and in good faith for a comprehensive agreement.
The resolution calls on the Turkish government to begin withdrawing its troops from Cyprus and handing over the region to the United Nations in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 550 (1984).
It also calls on the Republic of Cyprus to open the port of Famagusta under the supervision of the EU customs authorities in order to promote a positive climate for the successful conclusion of the ongoing reunification negotiations and to allow the Turkish Cypriots to trade directly and legally. .
The resolution encourages Turkey to step up its support for the Cyprus Committee on Missing Persons.
He expresses his disappointment over Turkey's statements that it will freeze relations with the presidency of the European Union in the second half of 2012 if no solution to the Cyprus issue has been found by then.
He recalled that the European Union is based on the principles of sincere cooperation and mutual solidarity between all its Member States, and that as a candidate country, Turkey must make a commitment to peaceful relations with the European Union and all its Member States.
It further recalls that the Presidency of the Council of the European Union is provided for in the Treaty on European Union.
Calls on Turkey to leave room for political dialogue between the EU and NATO by lifting its veto on EU-NATO cooperation with the participation of Cyprus, and then calls on the Republic of Cyprus to lift its veto on Turkey's participation in the European Defense Agency .
Stresses that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) has been signed by the EU, the 27 Member States and all other candidate countries and is part of the acquis communautaire.
It therefore calls on the Turkish government to sign and ratify this agreement without further delay.
Recalls the full legitimacy of the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Cyprus in accordance with the UNCLOS convention.
He recalled Turkey's energy role and argued that there should be a reflection on the feasibility of opening Chapter 15 energy negotiations with a view to promoting a strategic dialogue with Turkey on energy.
In the vote that took place, two amendments were approved and incorporated in the text, submitted by the MEPs of EDEK Koullis Mavronikolas and DIKO Antigoni Papadopoulou.
Mr Mavronikolas' amendment calls on Turkey "to refrain from any new settlement of Turkish citizens on the island, as this would continue to alter the demographic balance."
Ms Papadopoulou's amendment calls on the Turkish government to "examine in depth the viability and environmental consequences of plans for a nuclear power plant in southern Turkey (Akkuyu)".
The report also included a compromise amendment, which "calls on the Commission to consider measures to help open Chapter 24."
At the same time, "the manifestation of renewed efforts for the completion of the control report of chapter 23 of the Turkish accession negotiations" is requested.
The report is expected to be presented to the plenary of the European Parliament for approval at the end of March.