with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and has stressed that any action to facilitate or assist in any way the international recognition of Turkish Cypriot secessionist entity severely damages efforts to create an environment conducive to resuming settlement talks under the auspices of the United Nations... As emphasised in the Negotiating Framework and Council declarations, Turkey is expected to actively support the negotiations on a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem within the UN framework, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and in line with the principles on which the EU is founded and the EU acquis. It is important that Turkey reaffirms its commitment to the UN-led settlement talks on Cyprus in line with the relevant UNSC resolutions, including their external aspects. No unilateral actions should be taken that could raise tensions on the island and prevent the resumption of talks. On Varosha, Turkey must immediately reverse the unilateral actions announced on 20 July 2021 and all steps taken since October 2020 that run contrary to the relevant UNSC resolutions. The EU underlines the importance of the status of Varosha and calls for full respect of UNSC resolutions (particularly resolutions 550, 789 and 1251). Moreover, the European Council Conclusions of April 2024, reflecting the firm link between Turkey's stance on the Cyprus problem and progress on EU-Turkey relations, point out the following: The European Council held a strategic debate on EU-Turkey relations, taking note of the Joint Communication of the High Representative and Commission on the state of play of EU-Turkey political, economic and trade relations. The European Union has a strategic interest in a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the development of a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Turkey. The European Council tasks Coreper, respecting the competences of the relevant institutions, to advance work on the recommendations of the Joint Communication in line with previous European Council conclusions and in a phased, proportionate and reversible manner, subject to additional guidance from the European Council. Turkey’s own constructive engagement will be instrumental in advancing the various areas of cooperation identified in the Joint Communication. In this regard, the European Union attaches particular importance to resumption of and progress in the Cyprus settlement talks in further enhancing EU-Turkey cooperation. Recalling its previous conclusions, the European Council remains fully committed to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, within the UN framework, in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions and in line with the principles on which the Union is founded and the acquis. The European Council welcomes the appointment of María Angela Holguín Cuéllar The Cyprus Question| A brief Introduction 24
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