On the problems caused by the Turkish occupation of part of Cyprus for the regional security of the Eastern Mediterranean, President Anastasiades is focusing on in his intervention in a discussion at the EU Summit with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Government Spokesman Marios Pelekanos said in a statement in Brussels on the EU-ASEAN Summit taking place on Wednesday and ahead of the European Council Summit on Thursday.
Also, he said. Pelecanos said that the Thursday Summit will also discuss the conclusions on enlargement issues, which for the first time call on Turkey to refrain from actions that violate UN Security Council Resolutions 541 and 550 (concerning the non-recognition of "tdvk" and the status of Varosha).
EU leaders are also expected to exchange views on the gas price correction mechanism proposal, which made some progress on Tuesday at the extraordinary EU Energy Council, and on which consultations are continuing ahead of a new meeting of Energy Ministers on Monday.
Referring to the Cyprus issue as a matter of regional stability
At the EU-ASEAN Summit, the leaders' discussions will revolve around three themes: First, the geopolitical aspect and global and regional security and stability challenges; second, the economy with a focus on connectivity, trade and supply chain sustainability; and third, sustainable green and digital transition, food security and protection of natural resources.
According to Mr. Pelecanos, in his intervention in the context of the discussion on the geopolitical situation, the President of the Republic "will refer to the problems that the Turkish occupation and the non-resolution of the Cyprus problem create for regional security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean region and will inform his counterparts about the efforts made by our side towards achieving a political settlement, on the basis of the United Nations Charter and in accordance with the provisions of the Council resolutions on Cyprus.
The leaders will exchange views on a gas cap
Pelecanos also referred to the agenda of the EU Summit, including developments in Ukraine, energy and economic issues, defence and security issues, the EU's relations with its Southern Neighbourhood partners and transatlantic relations.
He said that the Enlargement Conclusions adopted on Tuesday at the EU General Affairs Council, part of which also concerns Turkey, will also be discussed.
"It is worth noting that, for the first time in this context, Turkey, among other things, is called upon to refrain from actions that violate UN Security Council Resolutions 541 and 550."
With regard to Ukraine, Mr. Pelecanos explained that the discussion "will focus on ways to support the country to cope with the winter, qualifying a range of actions to support it with humanitarian aid and other means, provide assistance to displaced persons and approve macroeconomic assistance. The need to bring all third countries, in particular candidate countries, including Turkey, into line with the sanctions imposed by the EU will also be discussed."
On energy and economic issues, he added, the leaders will exchange views on the issue of the Gas Price Correction Mechanism "and more generally on the measures taken to limit the increase in energy prices, which will contribute to the objective of curbing inflationary pressures, without ignoring that the key to their effectiveness is first and foremost the possibility of their practical implementation".
"Further, they will exchange views on the importance of protecting vulnerable households and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises," he added."
The main points of the 27's discussion on defence and security will be, according to Mr. Pelecanos "the need to strengthen the industrial and technological base of the EU's defence sector, as well as to strengthen the EU's ability to act autonomously where and when needed."
"The exchange of views on the EU's relations with its Southern Neighbourhood partners, namely its neighbours from the Middle East and North Africa, is considered particularly timely, as the Southern Neighbourhood region is of strategic importance for ensuring stability and security in Europe, especially in the light of developments in Ukraine and the wider consequences of the war," the Spokesperson also noted.
These developments, he continued, "make it necessary to strengthen political and economic cooperation between the two parties in order to better address the impact of the energy crisis, food security and other interrelated challenges, such as irregular migration."
Source: CNA
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