İlerleme Raporu’nda Kıbrıs sorununa ilişkin olarak yer alan ifadeler:

Cyprus

The Turkish government has on several occasions confirmed its support for efforts to find a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem through the continuation of the United Nations Secretary-General's mission of good offices and the negotiations on the basis of his proposals. In the course of the enhanced political dialogue with Turkey, and  at the EC-Turkey Association Council in April 2003, shortly after the breakdown of talks under UN auspices in The Hague, the Turkish government expressed the hope to see a settlement before May 2004.

The European Council in Thessaloniki of 19-20 June 2003 urged all parties concerned and in particular Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership to strongly support the UN Secretary General's efforts and called for an early resumption of the talks on the basis of his proposals.

On 8 August Turkey signed a framework agreement aiming to establish a customs union with the northern part of Cyprus. Such an agreement which has no validity under international law, would be in breach of Turkey's commitments in its customs union with the EC. The Turkish government subsequently indicated that the agreement would not be ratified or come into effect.

In the Loizidou case, concerning the violation of the applicant’s right to property and the non-payment of just satisfaction awarded by the Court, in June 2003 Turkey declared its intention to comply by October 2003 with the 1998 judgement of the ECtHR (see also Section B.1.3. — Human rights and protection of minorities).

Strateji Belgesi’nde Kıbrıs sorununa ilişkin olarak yer alan ifadeler:

C. TURKEY IN THE ENLARGEMENT PROCESS – PROGRESS AND CHALLENGES

1. Progress made by Turkey in meeting the membership criteria

* The Commission recalls that efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem form part of the enhanced political dialogue between the European Union and Turkey. As repeatedly stressed by the European Council, Turkey, together with all parties concerned, has a decisive interest in providing determined support for efforts towards a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. The Commission considers that there are favourable conditions for the two communities to reach a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem before Cyprus’ accession to the EU on 1 May 2004. The absence of a settlement could become a serious obstacle to Turkey’s EU aspirations.

D. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

* As regards Cyprus the European Council has repeatedly underlined its strong preference for accession by a united Cyprus. The Commission considers that there are favourable conditions for the two communities to reach a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem before Cyprus’ accession to the EU on 1 May 2004. To this end the EU should reiterate its call to all parties concerned, in particular Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot leadership, to resume the talks on the basis of the UN Secretary General’s proposal. The absence of a settlement could become a serious obstacle to Turkey’s EU aspirations. The Thessaloniki European Council stated the Union’s willingness to accommodate the terms of a settlement in line with the principles on which the EU is founded. The Commission is ready to assist in finding a speedy solution.