Borrell ‘rejects’ efforts to ‘legitimise’ north at OTS summit
The European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Thursday he “rejects” efforts to “legitimise” the north at the previous day’s summit of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS).
“The EU rejects the repeated attempts by the OTS to legitimise the Turkish Cypriot secessionist entity … through granting OTS observer status, including at its summit taking place in Bishkek,” he said.
“The EU reiterates that it only recognises the Republic of Cyprus as a subject of international law, in accordance with the respective UN Security Council resolutions.”
Borrell’s statement comes after Cyprus’ foreign ministry had said it “condemns Tatar’s participation” at the event, and “also unequivocally condemns Turkey’s ongoing efforts to promote the pseudo-state and the narrative of the existence of two states in Cyprus.”
It said the OTS meeting came “at a time when the efforts of [UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres] and of the international community are focused on creating positive conditions for the resumption of talks, after years of stagnation.”
To this end, it added, “the insistence of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership on actions which are … incompatible with international law attempt to undermine the prospects for progress and the building of confidence required for an honest and meaningful political process.”
Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan both gave addresses at Wednesday’s meeting in Bishkek, with Erdogan saying, “the Turkic world is responsible for a fair solution in Cyprus.”
One notable attendee of the summit was EU member Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Orban was photographed with Tatar at the “family photo” of attendees, separated only by Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedow, and was also sat at the table with Tatar for the leaders’ evening meal.
The Cyprus Mail contacted the Hungarian government for clarification regarding its stance on Cyprus, particularly considering the country is hosting Thursday’s European Political Community summit, which Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides will be attending.
The Cyprus Mail also contacted Cyprus’ foreign ministry regarding its relations with its fellow EU member, but did not receive a response.
Borrell had condemned Orban’s presence at the previous OTS summit, held in the Azerbaijani town of Shusha in July, issuing a scathing statement.
“Hungary has not received any mandate from the European Council to advance relations with the OTS. The EU rejects the attempts by the OTS to legitimise the Turkish Cypriot secessionist entity,” he said.