EU Parliament calls on European Council to “impose tough sanctions” on Turkey over Varosia

MEPs have adopted a resolution against Turkey condemning its illegal activities in Varosia and the Eastern Mediterranean, while they call on the European Council to stay united and impose tough sanctions.

In its resolution the EU Parliament condemns “Turkey’s illegal activities in Varosia” and warns that “the partial reopening of Varosia undermines the prospects for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, deepens the division and consolidates the permanent division of the island.”

In the resolution, adopted by 631 votes in favor, three against and 59 abstentions, MEPs called on Turkey to “return Varosia to its legal residents under the temporary Administration of the UN (in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 550 (1984) and to avoid any actions that change the demographic balance of the island through a policy of illegal settlements.”

They call for a lasting solution to the reunification of the island of Cyprus and its people that can only be found “through dialogue, diplomacy and negotiation” and urge the European Council “to maintain its unity in the face of Turkey’s illegal actions and to impose tough sanctions.”

MEPs deplore the fact that the Turkish authorities have supported the two-state solution in Cyprus and reiterated their support for a just, comprehensive and sustainable settlement “based on a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation, a single international legal personality, a single sovereignty and nationality and political equality between the two communities, as defined in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, in accordance with international law and the EU acquis” and based on respect for the principles on which the Union is founded. They also call on the EU to play a more active role in the successful conclusion of the UN-sponsored negotiations.

Tensions in EU-Turkey relations

The European Parliament also warns that “as Turkey moves further and further away from European values, EU-Turkey relations are at historically low levels” and denounces its “illegal and unilateral military action in the Eastern Mediterranean” which violates the sovereignty of the EU Member States, Greece and Cyprus.”

MEPs also point to Turkey’s immediate commitment to Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as its actions in Libya and Syria.

Earlier, an amendment tabled by the Greek and Cypriot delegations of the EPP was adopted by a large majority (440 votes in favor, 193 against), on the initiative of Vangelis Meimarakis, Lefteris Christoforou and Loukas Fourlas (and included in this resolution) and calls for European Council to impose severe sanctions on Turkey in response to its illegal activities.”

Also read: “These bullets will be used against Cyprus and Greece” – Cypriot MEPs shout for action 

Source: APE MPE