Commission: Turkey must avoid threats and actions that harm good neighbourly relations

The annual report on the candidate countries and the progress they have made was presented by the Commission. As for the Turkey, It is noted that «the European Council has repeatedly stated that the EU has a strategic interest in a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean »and to develop a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Turkey." He welcomes the de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean and emphasizes: The EU is ready to cooperate with Turkey in a gradual, proportionate, and reversible manner.

It should be noted that in the event of renewed unilateral actions or provocations that violate international law, the EU will use all means and options at its disposal to defend its interests and those of its member states. It also expects Turkey to actively support negotiations for a just, comprehensive, and sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem within the framework of the UN, in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and in line with the principles on which the EU is founded, while it is emphasized that there should be no unilateral actions that could increase tensions on the island and undermine a return to talks.

According to the report, There are serious shortcomings in the functioning of Turkey's democratic institutions. The EU’s serious concerns regarding the continuing deterioration of the rule of law, fundamental rights, and the independence of the judiciary have not been credibly addressed by Turkey. Turkey must reverse this negative trend as a matter of priority by addressing the erosion of effective checks and balances in the political system.

About the migration, it is reported that Turkey has made some progress. «Following the events of March 2020, when Turkey actively encouraged migrants and refugees to take the land route to Europe via Greece, the situation eventually de-escalated. Some progress has been made in strengthening surveillance and protection capabilities along the eastern land border.».

It should also be noted that «the EU-Turkey statement of March 2016, continued to yield results, and Turkey continued to play a key role in addressing migration along the Eastern Mediterranean» and «in hosting the world’s largest refugee population.» It is also noted that in June 2021, the Commission proposed allocating 3 billion euros in additional aid for Syrian refugees and host communities in Turkey. Finally, the Commission reiterates the importance of the continued implementation of the declaration, including returns and the prevention of irregular migration routes.».

With regard to Varosha, Turkey must immediately reverse its unilateral actions which were announced on July 20, 2021, and all the steps taken regarding Varosia since October 2020 that contravene the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

The report notes that, since December 2020, «a more positive trend has been observed in EU--Turkey has been observed following the de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean through Turkey’s cessation of illegal hydrocarbon exploration and drilling activities in the maritime zones of Cyprus and Greece and the resumption of exploratory talks between Turkey and Greece in January 2021. »These talks should remain a valuable channel of communication between the two sides for finding common ground to begin negotiations on the delimitation of the continental shelf.”.

«The March 2021 European Council welcomed these developments. Furthermore, the European Council reaffirmed that The EU will remain committed to defending its interests and those of its member states, as well as to maintaining regional stability. The Greek foreign minister visited Ankara on April 15, and the Turkish foreign minister visited Athens on May 30–31, where they confirmed their mutual desire to advance a positive agenda. The Greek Prime Minister and the Turkish President met on June 14,» the report notes.

It is also noted that «as emphasized by the Council, and as required by the obligations under the Negotiating Framework, Turkey is expected to commit unequivocally to good-neighborly relations, international agreements, and the peaceful resolution of disputes by resorting, if necessary, to the International Court of Justice.».

In the exhibition, Turkey is called upon «to refrain from threats and actions that undermine good-neighborly relations, normalize its relations with the Republic of Cyprus, and respect the sovereignty of all EU Member States over their territorial waters and airspace, as well as all their sovereign rights, including, among other things, the right to explore and exploit natural resources, in accordance with EU law and international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).» «Consequently, »Turkey is expected to refrain from any hydrocarbon drilling activities in the maritime zones of other states", it is noted.

Finally, in the reference to the turcolibian memorandum, it is noted that «the bilateral memorandum of understanding on the delimitation of maritime jurisdictions between Turkey and the Government of National Accord of Libya, signed in November 2019, remains in force despite the fact that disregarded Greece’s sovereign rights in the area in question, violates the sovereign rights of third states, fails to comply with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and cannot produce legal effects for third states.».