Borrell calls on Turkish side to study CBMs proposed by Cyprus President

EU High Representative Josep Borrell has conveyed to the Turkish Foreign Minister the position that the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) proposed by Cyprus President, Nicos Anastasiades, can strengthen the efforts for the settlement of the Cyprus problem and lead to the resumption of the negotiation process, Government Spokesperson Marios Pelekanos said on Friday.

In a written statement, Pelekanos said that Borell, in a letter to the President of the Republic, expresses the full support of the European Union in relation to President Anastasiades’ proposed CBMs.

According to Pelekanos, in his letter, Borrell says, that he has already conveyed to the Turkish Foreign Minister the position that the CBMs in question can strengthen the efforts for the settlement of the Cyprus problem and lead to the resumption of the negotiation process.

"He has also called on the Turkish side to study the proposals of President Anastasiades, stressing that Turkey's constructive stance on the issue of the CBMs and the Cyprus issue, in general, is considered crucial in terms of recording progress in Euro-Turkish relations," Pelekanos added.

Borrell also noted, according to Pelekanos, that he will continue to raise this issue in his upcoming meetings, while this will also be done in discussions between EU institutions and Turkey.

Regarding the ongoing Turkish provocations in the fenced part of Varosha, in occupied Famagusta, Borrell expressed his strong concern about the situation and developments there, the spokesperson said.

In light of the recent opening of a beach within the fenced area, according to Pelekanos, the EU High Commissioner stressed that he would continue to raise with Turkey the issue of Varosha and the need to end its actions that are in violation of the relevant United Nations Resolutions, but also of the decisions of the European Union.

In his letter, it is added, the High Representative reiterates the need to resume talks and points out that the appointment of an envoy by UN Secretary-General for the Cyprus issue would reinforce this goal, which the EU supports and wants to finalize as soon as possible.

Borrell also reiterates the EU's commitment to a settlement in Cyprus based on a bi-zonal bi-communal federation, with political equality as recorded in the relevant UN resolutions and reports. At the same time, he points out the need for the creation of the appropriate conditions for the resumption of negotiations, also through the CBMs proposed by the President of the Republic, Pelekanos’ statement concludes.

President Anastasiades has recently proposed a series of CBMs to Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar who rejected them.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results.