EU Council conclusions on Cyprus

In paragraph 35 of the General Affairs Council's conclusions on enlargement, stabilisation and association process, EU governments agreed to invite the Commission and the European External Action Service to submit options for appropriate measures to respond to Turkish actions, in solidarity with Cyprus.

Read the full reference to Cyprus below:

''The Council continues to expect Turkey to unequivocally commit to good neighbourly relations, international agreements and to the peaceful settlement of disputes, having recourse, if necessary, to the International Court of Justice. The Council recalls and reaffirms previous Council and European Council conclusions, including the European Council conclusions of 22 March 2018 strongly condemning Turkey's continued illegal actions in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea. The Council expresses serious concerns over Turkey's current illegal drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and deplores that Turkey has not yet responded to the European Union's repeated calls to cease such activities. The Council underlines the serious immediate negative impact that such illegal actions have across the range of EU-Turkey relations. The Council calls on Turkey to show restraint, respect the sovereign rights of Cyprus, and refrain from any such actions. The EU will closely monitor developments and stands ready to respond appropriately and in full solidarity with Cyprus. The Council invites the Commission and the European External Action Service to submit options for appropriate measures without delay.

In addition, the Council, as stated in its conclusions of 11 December 2006 and of 26 June 2018, subsequently endorsed by the European Council, as well as in the Declaration of 21 September 2005, calls on Turkey to fulfil its obligations under the Negotiating Framework, including the full, non-discriminatory implementation of the Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement towards all Member States. The Council reiterates that recognition of all Member States is essential. Turkey must avoid threats and actions that damage good neighbourly relations, normalise its relations with the Republic of Cyprus and respect the sovereignty of all EU Member States over their territorial sea and airspace as well as all their sovereign rights, including inter alia the right to explore and exploit natural resources, in accordance with EU and international law, including UNCLOS. The EU remains fully committed to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. In this regard, the Council recalls that it remains crucial that Turkey commits and contributes to such a settlement, including its external aspects, within the UN framework in accordance with relevant UNSC resolutions and in line with the principles on which the EU is founded and the acquis''.