Filenews 13 December 2021 - by Frixos Dalitis
The scenario of a decision to impose sanctions on Turkey for its illegal actions in the enclosed city of Famagusta and in the Cyprus EEZ, at today's meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, is far removed. On the contrary, today's session is very likely to hide several battles for the Republic of Cyprus, as information about Germany's behind-the-scenes processes with the creation of a bloc of countries of its influence, which are looking for ways to defuse the crisis in the region by resuming negotiations, throwing the issue of hydrocarbons as MOHs as bait on the table, is increasing. At the same time, the new German Government, which has just taken over, does not seem to want to shake its relationship with Turkey. That is why what is going on behind the scenes leads to the non-adoption of strict measures against Ankara. This has also been evident in the past few days during the preparation of the preliminary draft text for the selection paper, which will be discussed today in the Foreign Affairs Council.
The draft text includes targeted measures against individuals and legal persons responsible for the violations that have taken place in relation to the enclosed city of Varosha, cuts in the European Union's pre-accession financial assistance to Turkey and a restriction on the activities of the European Investment Bank and other financial institutions in Turkey. These measures, however, are not considered to entail any substantial costs for Turkey.
The text also notes that possible CBMs can bring hope and limit the dividing tendencies between communities and that dialogue needs to be strengthened. In particular, it is mentioned that tensions in relation to hydrocarbon exploration should be defused, and it is recalled that there have been proposals for relevant MOUs in the past, including in relation to the management of natural resources.
A report that clearly refers to the management of natural gas in the Cyprus EEZ and how it could be presented as a MOH between the two sides. Yesterday's publication of "F" reported that the representative of Germany at the meeting of the EU Political and Security Committee, during the discussion on Turkey's behaviour and the possible adoption of EU sanctions, said that there are measures that will help in the solution, such as the CBMs, referring to what was included in the draft decision.
Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides, who left yesterday for Brussels, was, as we are told, contacted both the German and French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell, seeking to reach an agreement before the start of the Council.
According to the announcement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the current affairs section of the Council's proceedings, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, will present for discussion the instrument of options for the Union's response to Turkey's illegal actions in the enclosed area of Famagusta, while under the same section an exchange of views is also expected on the latest developments on its eastern border. Ukraine and Crimea, as well as the situation as it is taking shape, respectively, in Belarus and Ethiopia.
Furthermore, foreign ministers will exchange views, in separate sections, first on EU-Africa relations, also with a view to the planned EU-African Union Summit next February, and then on the situation in Central Asia, including the prospects for strengthening the EU's presence in the wider region and bilateral cooperation with specific countries, as well as the emerging situation in Afghanistan.
At noon, the foreign ministers of the 27 Member States will attend a working lunch with the Deputy Prime Minister. Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, in which they will have the opportunity to discuss issues of common interest, focusing on the impact on the wider Gulf region of developments in Afghanistan.
On the sidelines of the Council's proceedings, Mr. Christodoulides will sign with the Rector of the College of Europe, Mrs. Federica Mogherini, a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the College to strengthen cooperation and create a national scholarship plan for Cypriots to attend the College.
