Brussels – Turkey is increasingly strengthening its presence in northern Cyprus, and the European Union has taken note. The AKP, the party of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is opening an office in the old town of Nicosia, in what is seen in Brussels as an act of “conquest”. “This development raises concerns about Türkiye’s growing political and administrative influence in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus, as well as about the protection of cultural heritage and respect for the sovereignty of an EU Member State,” denounces the Cypriot MEP Giorgos Georgiou (The Left).
In a parliamentary question, the MEP denounces the incident and calls on the EU to make its voice heard, but the European Commission merely stammers that it is unable to act. “The Commission is aware of the news report regarding the matter raised. It notes that the building in question is a listed building
and private property,” Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement, responded on behalf of the entire College, placing her trust in Ankara’s good faith: “Türkiye is expected to respect international law, good neighbourly relations and the
sovereignty of Member States.”
and private property,” Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement, responded on behalf of the entire College, placing her trust in Ankara’s good faith: “Türkiye is expected to respect international law, good neighbourly relations and the
sovereignty of Member States.”
Regarding the issue of Cyprus, Kos noted, the European Commission “has reiterated, including through bilateral
contacts with the Turkish authorities, that the EU remains fully committed to a comprehensive
settlement of the Cyprus issue within the UN framework, in accordance with all relevant UN
Security Council resolutions and in line with the principles on which the EU is founded and
its acquis.” In this regard, “the Commission expects Türkiye to foster an environment conducive to the
resumption of settlement talks under the UN’s auspices.”
contacts with the Turkish authorities, that the EU remains fully committed to a comprehensive
settlement of the Cyprus issue within the UN framework, in accordance with all relevant UN
Security Council resolutions and in line with the principles on which the EU is founded and
its acquis.” In this regard, “the Commission expects Türkiye to foster an environment conducive to the
resumption of settlement talks under the UN’s auspices.”
The opening of the Turkish ruling party’s headquarters shows how Erdogan’s Turkey is, step by step, asserting ever more explicit control over Northern Cyprus, making the reunification of the island increasingly complicated. In the meantime, the EU stands by and prays that the government in Ankara does not proceed with the definitive annexation of the territory.
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