President Nikos Christodoulides and European Council President António Costa have agreed that progress on EU-Turkey relations cannot be separated from parallel progress on the Cyprus problem, according to sources familiar with their meeting who spoke to Phileleftheros.
The two leaders met on the sidelines of the European Council summit in Brussels, where Christodoulides also presented the results of the Cyprus EU Council Presidency. Speaking to journalists on his arrival, Christodoulides said the two discussed three topics: the Presidency results, Cyprus’s accession to the Schengen zone, and the Cyprus problem.
Cyprus problem and the UN initiative
The EU’s desire to be present and play an active role at all stages of the UN Secretary-General’s new initiative was among the central themes of the meeting, according to sources familiar with the discussions. The sources said both presidents share the position that progress on EU-Turkey relations cannot happen without parallel development on the Cyprus problem.
Costa briefed Christodoulides on two phone calls he held with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in which he conveyed the clear message that any progress on EU-Turkey relations requires Turkey to fulfil its European obligations, including those related to Cyprus, the sources said. Costa also reiterated in person that the EU supports the UN Secretary-General’s initiative and wants to see substantive progress on the Cyprus problem.
The same sources said the meeting underlined that the EU wants to be present and play an active role from the outset at all stages of the process, in a way that genuinely supports efforts to resume and advance negotiations within the framework of UN Security Council resolutions.
Separately, from his meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Christodoulides indicated that an announcement of a new EU Commission envoy on the Cyprus problem is expected soon. Christodoulides and Von der Leyen have already discussed names for the role, which Nicosia has not disclosed.
According to Phileleftheros information, UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy María Ángela Holguín is expected in Brussels in early July for a meeting with Costa, after which she will travel to Nicosia for fresh meetings with both leaders. Christodoulides, in his public remarks, said Holguín was expected to visit Brussels at the end of June.
EU-Turkey relations
Turkey has shown interest in specific items on its EU agenda, including the Customs Union, visa liberalisation and SAFE, according to informed sources. The EU’s position, the sources said, is that the EU-Turkey agenda cannot advance in isolation from the Cyprus problem and Turkey’s obligations toward the Republic of Cyprus and the EU.
Costa reiterated to Christodoulides that any progress on EU-Turkey relations is directly linked to equivalent progress on the Cyprus problem. The meeting also underlined that the European acquis is fundamental to the process and could act as a catalyst for progress on a range of substantive issues.
In his public remarks, Christodoulides said progress on EU-Turkey relations “depends entirely on Turkey, starting from the Cyprus problem.” He expressed satisfaction at the cooperation between the United Nations and the EU, adding that dialogue would continue with the aim of creating conditions for an expanded conference at which the resumption of talks would be announced.
Schengen
On Schengen, Christodoulides said Cyprus expects a political decision very soon, noting that all preparatory work has been completed, which would allow the country to become a full member of the Schengen zone.
Presidency results presented to European Council
Christodoulides presented the results of the Cyprus EU Council Presidency at the opening of the Brussels summit. A source close to the session told Phileleftheros that he cited significant results across five pillars of the Presidency’s priorities and the broader European agenda.
According to Phileleftheros information, Christodoulides highlighted significant agreements reached in political dialogues with the European Parliament, including on files that had been deadlocked for more than ten years.
He gave particular emphasis to the Multiannual Financial Framework, describing it as the most significant file handled by the Cyprus Presidency. He said the Presidency delivered a mature negotiating box with specific numbers and secured Council agreement on the key financing regulations, expressing confidence this represented a decisive step toward an overall political agreement by the end of the year.
Christodoulides also cited achievements in Defence and Security, Ukraine, migration and Enlargement, which he described as a strategic priority of the Cyprus Presidency. He referred specifically to significant steps taken in accession negotiations with Ukraine, Moldova, Albania and Montenegro, noting that for Ukraine and Moldova the Presidency secured the opening of the first cluster of chapters on fundamental issues through two historic intergovernmental conferences.
He also pointed to agreements with third countries, progress on competitiveness and simplification, and results in the energy sector. On citizens’ daily life, he highlighted the revision of the air passenger rights regulation, social security coordination and critical medicines.
