IKV issued the following statement concerning the Informal Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers (Gymnich) in Berlin:

“We were disappointed by the EU Foreign Ministers’ failure to take into account Turkey’s just theses and legitimate interests in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. Expecting the resolution of the outstanding issues between Turkey and Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration solely based on a change in Turkey’s position is not only unfair, but also deemed to fail. If Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration are EU members, Turkey is no any third country; it is a NATO ally and an EU candidate country. The Helsinki Presidency Conclusions, which confirmed Turkey’s status as a candidate country, also referred to the Cyprus question and the resolution of bilateral disputes through negotiations.

So far, Turkey has demonstrated its goodwill by supporting the Annan Plan and other UN-sponsored initiatives for the resolution of the Cyprus question. The EU should see that the unilateral and wrong positions of Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration have also played a role in the perpetuation of the problems and today’s tense atmosphere. Otherwise, resolving the problem will not be possible and the EU will not have a constructive role in relieving the tension. We would have expected the approach of an actor like the EU to be much more balanced, holistic and visionary. Maintenance of dialogue and continuation of negotiations is important for the resolution of problems. However, for negotiations to deliver results Turkey’s views should be listened to and it should be understood that Turkey will not allow any ‘fait accompli’ in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Aegean. Everyone should know that no results can be obtained through sanctions.”