Anastasiades discusses Turkey, EU role with top EU officials

President Nicos Anastasiades found mutual understanding with European Council President Charles Michel and EU Foreign Affairs Chief Josep Borrell regarding the role the EU must play in view of Turkey’s activities in the eastern Mediterranean.

During the teleconference held on Friday in the presence of Foreign Minister Nicos Christodoulides, the Cyprus and EU leaderships agreed that the EU’s role in the face of the turbulence observed in the region should be to monitor developments closely, to condemn Ankara’s illegal moves, and to remain resolute in implementing its decisions.

According to an announcement by the Cyprus Presidency, in a written statement the government spokesperson Kyriakos Koushios noted that among the topics discussed were Turkey’s provocative activities in the Cyprus EEZ and in the eastern Mediterranean region in general, migration policy, the EU’s fiscal framework and its recovery plan aiming to cushion the economic blow of the coronavirus pandemic.

“More specifically, as regards Turkey’s ongoing illegal activities in the Cyprus EEZ and in the wider eastern Mediterranean region, President Anastasiades and Michel and Borell, referred to the destabilizing character of these illegal activities and of the dangers that they bring,” Koushios added.

In a tweet after the teleconference, Anastasiades described the discussion as “positive and very constructive”.

Positive and very constructive discussion today with @eucopresident Charles Michel and #EU Foreign Affairs Chief @JosepBorrell regardind Turkey's illegal actions and behaviour in #Cyprus and in the wider region and the impact on EU - Turkey relations. pic.twitter.com/7XHobQcixm

— Nicos Anastasiades (@AnastasiadesCY) June 12, 2020