Turkey’s Foreign Minister attends an informal EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on Thursday, in a move seen as a test of Ankara’s stance on the Cyprus issue, ahead of planned discussions in New York.
The Cypriot government, which claims to have made several positive overtures, expects reciprocal actions from Turkey and Turkish Cypriots, both at the EU meeting and during upcoming talks with the UN Secretary-General.
Cypriot government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Wednesday the informal council might reveal Turkey’s position on the Cyprus issue and EU-Turkey relations. “We may see where Turkey stands,” he said.
The meeting will mark the first encounter between Cypriot Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan at a European summit.
According to the European External Action Service (EEAS), the 27 EU member states will discuss EU-Turkey relations over lunch with Fidan.
The day’s agenda includes discussions on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba participating. Ministers will also address the Middle East situation and the political crisis in Venezuela.
UN Coordinator for Humanitarian Assistance and Reconstruction in Gaza, Sigrid Kaag, will brief ministers on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
EU High Representative Josep Borrell is expected to make a statement around 17:15 local time.
Before joining EU ministers, Fidan will meet separately with Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis.
Diplomatic sources say their discussion will cover EU-Turkey relations, the Cyprus issue, and Greek-Turkish relations, in preparation for an upcoming meeting between the Greek Prime Minister and Turkish President on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
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