With the
wrap-up of a meeting on EU-Turkey relations in Varna, Bulgaria on March 26, top
EU officials highlighted Turkey’s strategic role in European energy security
but expressed concern over Ankara’s actions in the Eastern Mediterranean and
the Aegean Sea.
“The
European Union stands behind the Republic of Cyprus regarding its right to
explore and exploit its natural resources in its Exclusive Economic Zone,”
European Council President Donald Tusk told a joint press conference with
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, Bulgarian President Boyko
Borissov, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. “This is also important
in view of our shared objective for the successful reunification of Cyprus for
the benefit of both populations on the island, for Turkey, the European Union
and for EU-Turkey relations,” Tusk said.
Hosted by
Borissov, representing the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU, Juncker, Tusk and
Erdoğan met for a working dinner to discuss all aspects of current and future
EU-Turkey relations, including energy cooperation.
The
European Council President stressed that Turkey’s good bilateral relations with
the EU Member States are also an important commitment within the accession
process. “We welcome positive progress in recent months with some of our Member
States but still have serious concerns about inter alia recent Turkish actions
in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea as well as the detention of EU
citizens,” Tusk said.
Erdoğan,
however, told the press conference that he would like to “plead with the
members of the EU to act fairly and that the mechanisms for taking decisions
for exploring and evaluating the natural assets in the territory and around the
territory of Cyprus should be done in respect of the international law.”
Cyprus
Natural Hydrocarbons Company CEO Charles Ellinas told New Europe on March 26
that Turkish aggression in the East Med would not be met by force, but only
through diplomatic means.
“Cyprus is
a member state of the EU and Turkish aggression against Cyprus is also against
the EU. The same applies to Greece and the Aegean. As a result, it is important
the EU takes a strong position, as it does, to protect its interests and those
of its member states,” Ellinas said, adding that Nicosia made it repeatedly
clear that exploring and exploiting hydrocarbons in its EEZ is for the interest
and benefit of all Cypriots, both Greek and Turkish. “Let’s hope that with EU’s
help sense prevails and problems are resolved through dialogue and negotiation
and not through strong arm tactics and belligerence,” Ellinas said.
In Varna on
March 26, Juncker highlighted the importance of EU-Turkey cooperation in EU
energy security. “We have a shared interest related to energy supply. I think
we have managed to work together and the European Union has contributed
financially thanks to the help European Investment Bank, I think the first
supply of gas will come in the time between 2018 and 2020,” Juncker told the
press conference.
Borissov
noted at the press conference in Varna on March 26 that EU and Turkey “have
important progress in the area of energy. In July, the interconnector with
Turkey will be finished, while the Greece interconnector is still under
construction. I will make sure to call my colleague (Greek Prime Minister
Alexis) Tsipras to inform him of our discussions with my colleague Erdogan.”
Borisov said while referring to the gas Interconnector Turkey Bulgaria (ITB)
and the Interconnector Greece Bulgaria (IGB).
https://www.neweurope.eu/article/eu-highlights-energy-ties-turkey-warns-aggression-varna-summit/