The discussion regarding the EU's relations with Turkey should be based on progress made by Ankara, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said during an exchange of views at the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU in Brussels, adding that concrete steps are expected from Turkey in relation to the Cyprus issue. According to an official statement, the Foreign Minister stressed that EU - Turkey relations are governed by specific conditionalities, and that the assessment of relations should be based on the progress made by Ankara. 'Our approach towards Turkey should be phased, proportionate and reversible,' he said, noting that this is also provided for in relevant conclusions of the European Council. Kombos also referred to President Christodoulides' initiative to break the deadlock on the Cyprus issue, and stressed that the conclusions of the recent European Council in June made explicit reference to the need to resume talks immediately, linking Turkey's position on the Cyprus issue with the future of EU - Turkey relations. He added that Turkey's European aspirations pass through Cyprus, and that concrete steps are expected from Ankara in relation to the resumption of the Cyprus settlement talks. During the discussion, Kombos also referred to the 49th anniversary of the Turkish invasion, saying it was a tragic day for Cyprus, and adding that President Erdogan's choice to visit the occupied territories on July 20th demonstrates Turkey's long-standing policy of creating new faits accomplis as a result of the invasion and the ongoing occupation. He also reiterated the condemnation of the Cypriot government for this provocative and illegal action. Diplomatic sources told CAN that during the debate several member states were cautious towards Turkey, as they expect to see specific signs on a number of issues including the Cyprus problem, but also regarding migration, the rule of law in Turkey and the implementation of sanctions against Russia. However, the same sources pointed out, the dialogue regarding the future of the EU - Turkey relationship has begun, ahead of the report due to be presented to the 27 member state leaders in October by Josep Borrell, with the Cyprus issue being a part of this discussion. According to the press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the EU's Foreign Ministers had a strategic discussion on Turkey and EU - Turkey relations following the Turkish elections, exchanged views on developments in Ukraine, and had an informal exchange with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, as well as a discussion on a number of foreign policy issues that are of concern to the EU. According to the same press release, the Foreign Ministers then exchanged views with their US counterpart Anthony Blinken. In his intervention during this discussion, Kombos said that the coordinated EU and US response to Russian aggression against Ukraine is a concrete example of transatlantic cooperation and unity, to jointly defend the fundamental values and principles of international law. He also referred to the 3+1 cooperation formation between Cyprus, Greece, Israel and the United States, citing it as an example of strategic cooperation and a confirmation of the common commitment to promote peace, stability, security and prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Kombos also called for joint EU and US support for the resumption of talks leading to the resolution of the Cyprus issue. During the discussion on Ukraine, the Foreign Minister reiterated Cyprus' full support to the government and people of Ukraine. In this context, he noted that Cyprus supports the EU's future commitments to Ukraine's security in the context of a global effort to support the country. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

Source: Cyprus News Agency