As Cyprus assumes the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, it is strategically leveraging this significant platform. The island nation is actively seeking to enhance its diplomatic standing and promote regional stability across the Eastern Mediterranean. Cyprus has extended a notable overture to Ankara, encouraging Turkey to utilize this six-month term as a catalyst for improving bilateral relations and addressing outstanding obligations concerning the Cyprus issue. President Nikos Christodoulides has extended a formal invitation to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for an informal summit. This crucial meeting, scheduled for April in Cyprus, is intended to bring together EU member states and regional neighbours for constructive dialogue.
This initiative emerges within a complex geopolitical context in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Cyprus has been diligently cultivating robust trilateral partnerships, particularly with Israel and Greece, as demonstrated by a recent summit held in Jerusalem. Furthermore, another trilateral summit with Greece and Egypt is slated to convene in Cairo. These alliances are explicitly designed to foster peace, stability, and economic development throughout this strategically vital area. The potential inclusion of the European Commission in these trilateral dialogues, perhaps as an observer, would signal a broader EU commitment to these burgeoning cooperative frameworks.
The timing of Cyprus's EU Council presidency is exceptionally significant, providing a unique opportunity to amplify its diplomatic influence. Constantinos Kombos, the Cypriot Foreign Minister, has articulated a clear vision, stating that Turkey is not excluded but must choose whether to insist on its own self-exclusion. He emphasized that Cyprus seeks for Turkey to seize this opportunity in connection with its Cyprus-related obligations. This sentiment underscores a strong desire for constructive engagement, aiming to facilitate Turkey's progress within its EU accession trajectory by addressing long-standing impediments.
However, the path forward is not without its considerable complexities and challenges. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has acknowledged the presidency as a potential avenue for Turkey but has also expressed considerable frustration. He lamented what he perceives as consistent obstructionism from the "Greek Cypriot administration" on the international stage. Fidan has issued a stern warning against any regional agreements conceived during Cyprus's tenure that might deliberately circumvent Turkey's interests, deeming such arrangements illegitimate. He asserted that the EU has been unable to resist the perceived arrogance of the Greek Cypriot administration for years and that this arrogance could deal a major blow to the EU’s core security architecture.
President Christodoulides has reiterated his readiness for direct dialogue with President Erdogan, expressing a firm commitment to resolving the Cyprus issue through negotiation and a mutually agreed-upon settlement. Concurrently, Marilena Rauna, Cyprus's Deputy Minister for European Affairs, has emphasized the strategic importance of the EU presidency. She views it as an instrumental opportunity to bolster the nation's diplomatic footprint and significantly contribute to the European Union's overarching strategic autonomy. During its presidency, Cyprus will be at the helm of critical negotiations on key EU dossiers, including the upcoming Multiannual Financial Framework and matters of defence and security. It will also champion enhanced cooperation within the Eastern Mediterranean, such as implementing projects under the Mediterranean Pact. The upcoming informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Limassol will undoubtedly serve as an early test case for these diplomatic initiatives.