The anger of Ankara they caused the results of the strategic discussion on Turkey at the special Summitas its membership is again directly linked to the progress in the Cyprus issue.

As reported by Manolis Kostidis, in his announcement the Turkish Foreign Ministry spoke of “lack of EU strategic vision for our country and global developments”.

“The connection of the Cypriot issue with the progress in Turkey-EU relations it will never be accepted by us. The approach that limits the multifaceted relations between Turkey and the EU in the Cyprus issue must be abandoned,” declares the Turkish government.

“Such a mentality cannot contribute positively and constructively to the Cyprus issue or to other regional and global issues” noted in the announcement.

Turkey says it rejects “the selective limitation of its cooperation with the EU in certain sectors’ which is perceived as a peak for immigration.

The announcement of the Turkish Foreign Ministry in detail:

“The decisions about our country taken at the Special Summit of Heads of State and Government of the European Union (EU) held in Brussels on April 7-18, 2024 are a new example of the EU’s lack of strategic vision for our country and global developments.

The Summit Outcomes underline that it is in the EU’s strategic interest to develop a relationship with our country with the goal of cooperation and mutual benefit. On the other hand, it is a serious inconsistency that no concrete decision can be taken on the recommendations of the joint communication on EU-Turkey relations prepared by the EU Vice-President/EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Borel and the European Commission.

The connection of the Cypriot issue with progress in Turkey-EU relations will never be accepted by us. The approach that limits Turkey-EU multilateral relations in the Cyprus issue must be abandoned. Such a mentality cannot contribute positively and constructively to the Cyprus issue or to other regional and global issues.

As a candidate country, Turkey remains determined to join the EU. However, we reject the selective limitation of our cooperation in certain areas. We will discuss our dialogue with the EU in the context of reciprocity, depending on the speed, level and scope of the EU’s steps towards Turkey in the next period.”

Christodoulides’ satisfaction with the discussions at the Summit

The President of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulidis, expressed his satisfaction with the results of the Synod upon his arrival for the second day in Brussels.

“From the beginning we set a goal, the essential interconnection of the Euro-Turkish and Cypriot states. This is clear from yesterday’s conclusions, but also the discussion that took place” he said. He added that “consciously” a positive message was sent to Turkey, that the transformation of this message into specific positive developments in Euro-Turkish depends on progress in the Cyprus issue.