It is a red line for us to upgrade the Turkey-EU customs union, Lefteris Christoforou, EPP MEP, tells CNA.
"For there to be positive elements in the report on Turkey, all colleagues fought their own battles either in the Commission or in their political groups, on the one hand to block some tendencies for a positive approach towards Turkey and on the other hand to raise some issues of concern to our side," he says.
In addition, it notes that there are important positive elements in the report, where Turkey is condemned for its general attitude of violating the sovereign rights of Greece and Cyprus and for not respecting European and international law.
"We succeeded as EPP to include an important amendment condemning Turkey's behaviour in Varosha", says Christoforou, adding that it is particularly negative that Turkey, despite what is happening, continues to be recorded in the reports as an important partner for the EU.
"For us it is a red line to upgrade the customs union without real moves by Turkey to restore justice, respect human rights, return the city of Famagusta to its legitimate inhabitants and comply with resolutions 550 and 789 of the UN Security Council", the EPP MEP says.
Furthermore, Christoforou stresses that Turkey must recognise the Republic of Cyprus. "You cannot talk about a customs union with Turkey when Turkey with the existing customs union does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus and does not apply the customs union to an EU member state," he says.
In general, the report is condemnatory in many points for Turkey but there are also amendments and provisions that we do not agree with at all, concludes Christoforou.
Source: CNA
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