The Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission urged Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to take advantage of the renewed diplomatic momentum surrounding Cyprus. EU leaders view the resumption of UN-led talks as a significant opportunity to reinvigorate the long-stalled peace process.
Relations
According to European leaders, the European Union and Turkey are strategic partners, making progress in the Cyprus dossier important for the broader relationship between the two parties as well.
The Cypriot government stated that it is willing to support further steps in the EU-Turkey relationship once negotiations are actually resumed and concrete progress is made.
Promotion
Federation
The Members of the European Parliament reaffirmed that, in their view, a sustainable solution is only possible through a federation model of two communities in two zones with political equality, in line with the UN Security Council resolutions.
In addition to the call for new peace talks, the European Parliament adopted a resolution by a large majority on the consequences of the Turkish invasion in 1974 for Cypriot women and girls.
The resolution was adopted with 575 votes in favor, 33 against, and 43 abstentions. In doing so, the MEPs also condemned the ongoing occupation by Turkey of part of Cyprus.
Sexual Violence
The non-binding resolution outlines the long-term consequences of conflict-related sexual violence, forced displacement, family separation, psychological trauma, and social and economic harm.
The Parliament condemned the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and called for recognition of the victims, accountability, appropriate compensation, and comprehensive support for survivors and their families.
Missing Persons
In addition, the MEPs call for increased support for the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus and for assistance to victims, including trauma counseling and psychosocial support.
They also urge Turkey to fully cooperate with investigations into enforced disappearances, sexual violence, and other serious violations of international law, including by granting access to military zones and archives.
One-sided
Turkey firmly rejected the resolution. Ankara stated that the text has no legal validity and called the accusations against the Turkish armed forces unfounded.
The Turkish government also asserted that the European Parliament adopts a one-sided Greek Cypriot stance and thus does not provide a balanced contribution to the search for a solution to the conflict.