MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Türkiye’s purchase of Eurofighter Typhoon jets jeopardises Europe’s external security – E-002775/2024(ASW)

The EU is fully committed to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, within the United Nations agreed framework, in accordance with all relevant United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions and in line with the principles on which the EU is founded and the acquis. It remains crucial that Türkiye commits and actively contributes to such a peaceful settlement, including its external aspects.

The EU attaches particular importance to resumption of and progress in the Cyprus settlement talks in further enhancing EU-Türkiye cooperation[1].

Welcoming the recent steps taken by the UN Secretary-General towards a resumption of settlement talks, the EU remains ready to play an active role in supporting all stages of the UN-led process, with all appropriate means at its disposal[2].

The control on the export of arms by Member States is subject, inter alia[3], to the Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP[4]. Under its Article 2(5)(b), when assessing export licence applications, they shall take into account the risk of use of the items against forces of other Member States.

In line with EU’s Strategic Compass for Security and Defence and the Joint Communication on the State of play of EU-Türkiye political, economic and trade relations of November 2023[5], the High Representative/Vice-President remains committed to developing a mutually beneficial partnership with Ankara.

This requires equal commitment on Türkiye’s side to advance on a path of cooperation, sustained de-escalation and to address EU concerns.

• [1] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/m5jlwe0p/euco-conclusions-20240417-18-en.pdf
• [2] https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-16983-2024-INIT/en/pdf
• [3] This includes also national legislation and the Arms Trade Treaty, https://thearmstradetreaty.org/hyper-images/file/ATT_English/ATT_English.pdf?templateId=137253
• [4] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32008E0944
• [5] https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/joint-communication-european-council-state-play-eu-turkiye-political-economic-and-trade-relations-0_en