Nine European Union Mediterranean leaders gathered in Split, Croatia and sent Ankara a clear message: Turkey must make a...

Nine European Union Mediterranean leaders gathered in Split, Croatia and sent Ankara a clear message: Turkey must make a concrete contribution to restarting Cyprus reunification talks or its relationship with the EU will stall. The joint MED9 declaration stated that Turkey's contribution to the "swift resumption and successful conduct of negotiations" on Cyprus is crucial and directly tied to progress in EU-Turkey relations, consistent with European Council conclusions from April 2024. The leaders also called on Turkey to stop unilateral actions, specifically citing moves in Varosha and along the ceasefire line, as conditions for creating a better environment for talks. The declaration reaffirmed that the Cyprus problem is a European problem, and the nine leaders voiced support for UN Secretary-General efforts, including a recent visit to Cyprus and his intention to convene an enlarged meeting with all parties. They also welcomed the appointment of EU Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto as Special Representative for Cyprus. The leaders further stressed that all issues must be resolved through peaceful means and in full respect of international law, including the Convention on the Law of the Sea. They stated that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all EU member states must be safeguarded, language that covers both Cyprus and broader Aegean tensions. On a separate but related note, the declaration welcomed positive findings in the 2025/2026 Commission report on Cyprus and signaled support for Cyprus eventually joining the Schengen area, saying full Cypriot participation would strengthen the collective security of the zone. The nine leaders also celebrated the establishment of the Cyprus Regional Aerial Firefighting Station as a step toward tackling Mediterranean wildfire threats. #Cyprus #EUTurkey #MED9