Turkey blackmailing Cyprus ‘cannot be tolerated’

The EU will not be blackmailed by Turkey over Cyprus, said leader of the European Peoples Party (EPP) in the European Parliament on Tuesday

EPP chair Manfred Weber said: “Turkey’s recent provocations in the Eastern Mediterranean are a continuation of what has been going on with Cyprus for a long time and Turkey is now emboldened to escalate even further.

Cyprus’ concerns are our concerns and we stand in solidarity once again. The EPP group reiterates that Cyprus’ borders are also European ones and blackmailing cannot be tolerated”.

“Turkey should be reminded that the most constructive elements of the EU-Turkey relationship have been achieved not through gunboat diplomacy but through comprehensive regional dialogue and the pursuit of improving neighbourly relations.

Anything else simply endangers peace, security, and stability in this volatile region.

We, therefore, call on Turkey to accept the invitation by the Government of Cyprus to negotiate in good faith the maritime delimitation between their relevant coasts. This is how international law works.”

The EPP aims to include a debate on Turkey during the July plenary.

The issue will be discussed on Thursday at the presidents’ conference. (source CNA)