MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Cyprus is the only EU Member State still under military occupation, 50 years on from the illegal Turkish invasion – E-001394/2024(ASW)

Source: European Parliament

The Commission is fully committed to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, within the United Nations (UN) framework, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and in line with the principles on which the Union is founded and the EU acquis.

Türkiye is expected to actively support the negotiations on a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement of the Cyprus issue within the UN framework[1].

The EU has repeatedly called for the speedy resumption of negotiations and expressed its readiness to play an active role in supporting all stages of the UN-led process, with all appropriate means at its disposal.

The EU does not recognise the so-called ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ and is bound by UN Security Council resolution 541[2].

The EU remains fully committed to defending its interests and those of its Member States and to ensuring that the UN Security Council resolutions and generally recognised principles and norms of international law, particularly with respect to the sovereignty, independence and integrity of states, are fully upheld.

The Commission’s key instrument to support a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue is the EU Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community[3].

The overarching objective of the programme, since its creation in 2006, is to facilitate Cyprus’ reunification. Since 2006, the EU has allocated over EUR 700 million to the programme.

Reunification can be also fostered through increased trade across the Green Line, as it not only contributes to economic integration but also builds trust. The Commission is responsible for the implementation of the Green Line Regulation[4].

While this trade stood at around EUR 4 to 5 million per year until 2019, it reached a record of EUR 16 million in 2023.

• [1] https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/document/download/eb90aefd-897b-43e9-8373-bf59c239217f_en?filename=SWD_2023_696%20T%C3%BCrkiye%20report.pdf
• [2] UN Security Council resolutions on Northern Cyprus (UNSC Resolution No 541 of 18 November 1983 and UNSC Resolution No 550 of 11 May 1984).
• [3] https://commission.europa.eu/funding-tenders/find-funding/eu-funding-programmes/support-turkish-cypriot-community/aid-programme-turkish-cypriot-community_en
• [4] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1481620173103&uri=CELEX:02004R0866-20150831