The European Council had a strategic discussion on EU-Turkey relations taking into account the announcement of the EU High Representative and the Commission on the situation in EU-Turkey political, economic and trade relations, states the draft conclusions of the Summit.

It is pointed out that the European Council requests that they proceed the work on the joint communication in line with previous European Council conclusions and in a gradual, proportionate and reversible manner, subject to additional guidance from the European Council as required.

Also, recalling its previous conclusions, the European Council remains fully committed to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue, within the framework of the UN, in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and in accordance with the principles on which the EU is based and the acquis, referred to in draft. The European Union welcomes the appointment of Maria Angela Holguin Quellard as the UN Secretary General’s Personal Envoy for Cyprus.

The European Union is ready to play an active role in supporting all stages of the UN-led process, with all appropriate means at its disposal, the draft conclusions emphasize. Finally, it is noted that the European Union attaches great importance to the resumption and progress in the talks on the settlement of the Cyprus issue, which can also strengthen EU-Turkey cooperation.