A high-level meeting between the European Union and Turkey is expected to take place in October, focusing on efforts to restart talks on the Cyprus issue and the future of EU-Turkey relations, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides said on Friday.
Speaking to journalists, he said he had been informed of the planned meeting following recent discussions in New York with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, as well as talks between Guterres and EU leaders. The meeting, being organised at the request of the UN Secretary-General, aims to explore ways to create the conditions needed to resume negotiations on the Cyprus issue.
“I am pleased, I repeat, because from the briefing I had yesterday from the heads of the institutions, such a meeting will be held in October, following a request by the UN Secretary-General himself, so that we can see how conditions are created for the resumption of negotiations,” the President said.
Christodoulides stressed that progress in EU-Turkey relations depends on the resumption of negotiations on Cyprus under the agreed framework.
“Any progress in EU-Turkey relations depends on the resumption of talks on the basis of the agreed framework,” he said.
He also mentioned the expected visit to Cyprus by the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy in late October, saying these developments could help create conditions for progress.
“Our clear political will is a given and I repeat that the EU can play a leading role,” he said.
Christodoulides recalled that his administration had prioritised greater EU involvement in efforts to restart negotiations from the outset. He also welcomed the appointment of a senior European Commission official, saying it reflected the EU’s approach to the Cyprus issue.
EU contacts with Turkey over UN Climate Conference COP31
Asked whether the European Council’s conclusions would refer to the UN Climate Conference COP31, Christodoulides said the issue had been discussed on Thursday and that he had briefed his European counterparts on the latest developments.
He said that following a statement by the Turkish Cypriot leader, the EU had contacted the Turkish government on behalf of its 27 member states and received written responses.
“If these replies are implemented in practice, then we will be satisfied,” he said, adding that Cyprus was prepared for any eventuality.
Migration: “No clashes between member states”
Referring to discussions on migration, Christodoulides warned that disagreements between EU member states could send the wrong message to citizens.
“A clash is certainly not the most appropriate or the best message we can send to European citizens, especially on an issue we know concerns all member states,” he said.
Despite the challenges, he pointed to progress in managing migration across the EU, citing a 90% drop in arrivals in Cyprus and a 180% increase in returns compared with 2022.
He said talks should focus on identifying gaps and considering further measures, including a possible EU mechanism to respond to the use of migrants as a tool of political pressure.
Energy costs and ETS2 dominate EU talks
Nikos Christodoulides described Thursday’s discussions on energy costs and rising prices as extensive, noting that some member states initially reluctant to support proposals from Mediterranean and Central European countries, as well as the Balkan B4 group, had now recognised the need to adopt them.
On the EU’s second Emissions Trading System (ETS2), Christodoulides welcomed the wording agreed in the European Council’s conclusions.
“As it stands at the moment, as agreed last night, the wording satisfies us,” he said.
He added that the European Commission appeared to recognise the need to further delay the system’s implementation, warning that it could place an additional burden on households and businesses already struggling with high energy costs. He also stressed that it remained unclear when the energy crisis would end.
Hard-fought negotiations on the EU budget
Commenting on the negotiations over the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the President described the position of the Irish Presidency as difficult, noting that the Cypriot Presidency had previously managed to secure agreement on key aspects of the budget.
He said the matter now lies in the hands of the President of the European Council and expressed the view that discussions will focus on more concrete proposals for new EU own resources.
According to him, the objective is to avoid any further reduction of the EU budget or, if this proves unavoidable, to keep it to an absolute minimum.
Asked about the reaction of some member states to the proposals for new own resources, Christodoulides said that certain countries had expressed reservations due to national priorities, but noted that some ideas had been received positively by member states.
Tough negotiations over EU budget
Commenting on negotiations over the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), Christodoulides said the Irish Presidency faced a difficult task, noting that the Cypriot Presidency had previously secured agreement on key budget issues.
He said the matter was now in the hands of the European Council President, adding that discussions were expected to focus on more concrete proposals for new sources of EU revenue.
The aim, he said, was to avoid further cuts to the EU budget or keep them to a minimum if unavoidable.
Asked about member states’ reactions to proposals for new EU revenue sources, Christodoulides said some countries had raised concerns over national priorities, while others had responded positively to certain proposals.