Cypriot MEPs abstain from vote on European Parliament annual report regarding Turkey

Cypriot members of the European Parliament announced they would abstain from the vote on the annual progress report regarding Turkey, scheduled for late this week in Strasbourg. The report, drafted by rapporteur Nacho Sánchez Amor, received mixed reactions from the six Cypriot representatives. While some MEPs acknowledged that the text includes positive references to the Cyprus problem and Turkey's obligations, they criticized provisions that frame Turkey as a strategic partner to the EU. MEP Loukas Fourlas specifically argued that calling Turkey a partner despite ongoing regional tensions and the occupation of Northern Cyprus is inappropriate. MEP Giorgos Georgiou also noted that while the report documents serious human rights and rule of law violations, its geopolitical focus on Turkey remains problematic. MEP Costas Mavrides raised concerns about the removal of an amendment regarding the EU acquis during the drafting process. Ultimately, none of the six Cypriot MEPs intend to vote in favour of the report, opting instead for abstention to signal their disagreement with the document's broader diplomatic approach.