CYPRUS: EP Rapporteur calls for suspension of EU-Turkey accessions talks

European Parliament Rapporteur Kati Piri proposes the formal suspension of accession negotiations with Turkey reiterating her call on Ankara to refrain from threatening Cyprus.

Dutch socialist MEP Kati Piri presented on Wednesday to the European Parliament in Strasbourg her draft report on Turkey`s accession progress.

Her report said that continuing a negotiating process aimed at EU integration of Turkey has lost all credibility under the present circumstances.

“With the full implementation of the constitutional amendments, which legitimizes an all-powerful presidency with powers to personally appoint or dismiss ministers, select judges and rule by decree, a red line has been crossed for the European Parliament,” said Piri.

She added: “In its last report the European Parliament warned that it would propose a formal suspension of the accession talks if this would indeed happen. That is now the case.”

On Cyprus, Piri welcomed efforts by the UN to resume negotiations on the reunification of the island.

She repeated her call on Turkey to commit and contribute to a comprehensive settlement, to begin withdrawing its troops from Cyprus, to transfer the sealed-off area of Famagusta (Varosha) to the UN, and to refrain from actions altering the demographic balance on the island.

The EP Rapporteur praised the important work of the Committee on Missing Persons and recognises the right of the Republic of Cyprus to enter into bilateral agreements concerning its exclusive economic zone.

Piri urged Turkey to engage in the peaceful settlement of disputes, and to refrain from any threat or action which might have negative effects on good neighbourly relations.

Although proposing the suspension of the accession negotiations, Piri does not want to close the door on Turkey’s population.

She said that: “A democratic and economically stable Turkey is in the interest of the European Union. Therefore, all tools should be used to keep Turkey anchored to the EU and its values.”