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After nine hours of negotiations, with an agreement on Turkey and Belarus, the first day of the Summit ended early today.
Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen expressed their full solidarity in Greece and Cyprus after the conclusion of the negotiations.
“We are ready to use all means in case of need,” Michel said, when asked about the possibility of imposing sanctions on Turkey.
Responding to the same question, the president of the European Commission pointed out that there are two toolkits, “one for a situation that we do not want, that is, the case that Turkey takes unilateral action again.” The second toolbox is a positive agenda, added Ursula von der Leyen, explaining that Turkey must show that it is willing to have a constructive dialogue with the EU.
“We are ready to use all means in case of need,” said Charles Michel. “There is a toolbox that can be used immediately,” added Ursula von der Leyen.
It is recalled that yesterday, when attending the Summit, Kyriakos Mitsotakis stressed that “two paths open before us, one is the path of diplomatic dialogue, a dialogue that must be based on respect for international law, the avoidance of unilateral actions and rules. good neighborhood. The other way is the escalation of tensions, which will inevitably, sooner or later, lead Europe to take action against Turkey. Greece has shown in practice that it wants to follow the first path. “It is up to Turkey to do the same, but it must do so consistently and with stability. “
Full solidarity in Greece and Cyprus: what the text of the conclusions says
The strategic interest of the EU is to have a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and to develop cooperation and mutually beneficial relations with Turkey, according to the text of the Summit conclusions reached today by European leaders after hours of negotiations in Brussels.
“Continuing the dialogue in good faith and refraining from unilateral actions that go against the interests of the EU and violate international law and the sovereign rights of EU member states is an absolute requirement in this regard,” he said.
At the same time, the leaders point out that all disputes must be resolved through dialogue and in accordance with international law. In this context, the European Council reiterates its full solidarity with Greece and Cyprus, whose sovereignty and sovereign rights must be respected.
The text also underlines that the EU welcomes the recent confidence-building steps by Greece and Turkey.
At the same time, the European Council strongly condemns the violations of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus and insists that they must stop. The European Council urges Turkey to refrain from taking such actions in the future as they violate international law, and stresses that the delimitation of the continental shelf and the Exclusive Economic Zone must be addressed through dialogue and negotiations in good faith. , in full respect of international law. . He asked Turkey to accept Cyprus’ invitation to enter into a dialogue aimed at resolving all maritime disputes between Turkey and Cyprus.
The European Council reiterated its full solidarity with Greece and Cyprus. “Their sovereignty and sovereign rights must be respected,” the text says.
At the same time, the European Council supports the speedy resumption of negotiations on the Cyprus question, under the auspices of the UN, and remains fully committed to a comprehensive solution of the Cyprus question within the UN and in accordance with the resolutions Relevant issues of the Security Council, including SA Resolutions 550 and 789, in compliance with the principles on which the EU is based, expects the same from Turkey. The EU stands ready to play an active role in supporting the negotiations, including appointing, after the resumption, a representative to the UN mission.
The text also states that, provided that constructive efforts to stop illegal activities against Greece and Cyprus continue, the European Council agreed to launch a positive EU-Turkey political agenda, with an emphasis on modernizing the Customs Union and facilitating trade, as well such as continued cooperation on migration issues, under the EU-Turkey Declaration (2016). The European Council asks its President, in cooperation with the President of the European Commission and with the support of the High Representative, to draw up a proposal for the renewal of the EU-Turkey agenda.
The European Council will continue to closely monitor developments, return and take decisions accordingly, as appropriate, at its December meeting at the latest, as per the text.
Finally, the European Council convenes a multilateral conference on the Eastern Mediterranean and invites the High Representative to initiate discussions on its organization. Participation, scope, and timing must be agreed with all parties. This conference could address issues that require multilateral solutions, including maritime demarcation, security, energy, migration and economic cooperation, explains the text of the conclusions.
“Turkish provocation with unilateral actions or extreme rhetoric can no longer be tolerated,” said the prime minister while attending the summit.
Government sources: “The text of the conclusions reflects the Greek positions”
The text of the conclusions reflects the positions of Greece, as reflected during Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s attendance at the work of the Special Session of the European Council, government sources highlighted.
A very difficult negotiation took place, these sources clarified, noting, however, that the final text adopted is better for the positions of Greece and Cyprus than the one originally proposed.
“As the President of the European Commission (Ursula von der Leyen) emphasized, no one can divide Europe. So today the EU sends a message of unity, solidarity and determination. “Turkey’s unilateral actions are doomed and it is clear that if such behavior continues, it will have consequences,” the same sources said.
Regarding the consequences, there is a clear reference to specific articles of the Treaties on the imposition of sanctions (29, 215). It is stressed that the European Union will use, in the event of unilateral actions and violations of international law, all the tools at its disposal to defend its interests and the interests of its Member States. The EU will closely monitor developments and make appropriate decisions no later than the December 2020 summit, they added.
“It is clear that the exploratory contacts between Greece and Turkey refer to the Delimitation of Maritime Zones (Continental Shelf – EEZ). “It is clear that for the first time the attitude of Turkey towards Greece and Cyprus was at the center of a marathon meeting of the Summit, it was not just part of the agenda under discussion,” they explain.
They add that “the Summit unequivocally condemns the violation of the sovereign rights of Cyprus and makes explicit reference to the decisions and resolutions of the UN Security Council on the solution of the Cyprus problem.”
As the Prime Minister has repeatedly stressed, the dialogue with Turkey is open, but a necessary condition for this is that no illegal actions be taken on its part. And so it was confirmed ”at the meeting, government sources concluded.
With information from ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ
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