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Main News
EUCO to take place via teleconference
Alithia, Haravgi, Phileleftheros, Politis
EU Matters
OVERVIEW
The European Council (EUCO) summit scheduled for March 25-26 will take place via teleconference, the dailies report, with the EU not expected to take a punitive approach to Turkey.
Spokesperson for the President of the European Council Barend Leyts said the EUCO not be taking place with the physical presence of EU leaders due to the surge in coronavirus cases in EU member states. Leyts said Charles Michel will continue his deliberations will all leaders.
The Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) scheduled to take place Monday will however be carried out as normal with the physical presence of EU Foreign Ministers. Phileleftheros reports that an announcement by the Foreign Ministry said the FAC is scheduled to discuss, among other things, EU-Turkey relations in light of recent developments and Borrell’s report on the state of things and the future of EU-Turkey relations. On the sidelines of the FAC, Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides is set to meet with his Maltese counterpart.
Phileleftheros reports that the chapter involving EU-Turkey relations that will be up for discussion at this week’s EUCO is growing into a headache for EU leaders, with the EU’s Foreign Policy chief Josep Borrell attempting to maintain a balance as relations with Ankara are of interest for many powerful EU partners.
Politis reports that the imposition of sanctions against Turkey at the upcoming EUCO appears to be off the table, with Borrell’s report noting that sanctions will be a possibility only if Ankara undertakes new provocative actions. The paper writes that the EU is now leaning toward Germany’s plan of action involving the promotion of a positive agenda under certain conditions, which has found many EU member states in agreement. Citing EU sources, Politis reports that Germany has found the support of Italy, Croatia, Hungary, Romania and Malta, while Cyprus, Greece France, Austria and Slovakia argue that a positive agenda should be wary of a resumption of provocations by Turkey.
Politis reports that this week’s EUCO is to be followed by another one in June, where developments will be evaluated and final decisions taken.
Politis reports that while Borrell’s report is expected to record Turkey’s actions, such as those in Varosha and the state of things ahead of the informal five-party summit in Geneva, a resolution of the Cyprus problem is not a condition for the adoption of a positive agenda with Turkey. It adds that though Cyprus is pushing for a carrot and stick approach to Turkey ahead of the Geneva meeting and is relying on Germany’s influence to secure EU presence at the meeting, the EU’s approach appears to involve more carrots than sticks. This is mainly motivated by the view that tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean have calmed after Turkey’s withdrawal of its exploratory and drilling vessels and in view of the resumption of exploratory talks between Turkey and Greece and the upcoming five-party meeting.
Politis reports that the position currently gaining ground is the gradual adoption of a positive agenda with a horizon until June, though decisions on migration are more urgent. The paper also notes that it remains to be seen whether Turkey’s withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention will affect a positive agenda.
Phileleftheros reports on statements issued by European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas who said this week’s EUCO is expected to garner positive results for Greece and Europe.