Turkey calls on EU "not to act as Greek Cyprus spokesperson"

The European Parliament voted and adopted the report on Wednesday. The report urged Turkey "to begin prompt withdrawal of troops from Cyprus, and resolve the issue of Turkish citizens settled in the island as well as allow Greek Cypriot access to Maras."

In a statement, Turkish Foreign Ministry said that the report included EU's expectations from Turkey but did not touch on EU's unfulfilled commitments towards Turkey.

The statement said that EU report indicated Turkey's move to enlarge the space for rights and freedoms, Turkey's active policy initiatives and its contributions to regional security. However, the statement said that EU institutions should have penned their reports on member states in a manner to draw attention to shortcomings to be completed during accession process.

It said, these reports should have prepared in a way that they would be unbiased and encourage member states to move forward.

"It is seen that the report has a language which could have negative impacts on accession process," it said.

The ministry also said that EU report had ignored constructive and solution-oriented efforts by the Turkish Cypriot side in ongoing Cyprus peace talks and also the facts regarding those who were responsible for the Cyprus problem created in the past.

"This approach, far from fair attitude, is simply disappointing," the statement said.

"EP's function would not be to act as a spokesperson for Greek Cypriot side and meet all their groundless claims and demands," it added.

The statement concluded that Turkey would continue to stick by its commitments made towards EU membership.

/World Bulletin/