A high-level meeting between the European Union and Turkey is expected to take place in October, with the aim of restarting long-stalled negotiations on the divided island of Cyprus. Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides confirmed the plan on Friday, saying the gathering would also address the broader trajectory of EU-Turkey relations.
Speaking to journalists in Nicosia, Christodoulides said he had been briefed on the planned summit following recent discussions in New York between UN Secretary-General António Guterres and EU leaders. The meeting, organised at Guterres’s request, is intended to examine how to create the conditions necessary for a resumption of the Cyprus talks.
“I am pleased, I repeat, because from the briefing I had yesterday from the heads of the institutions, such a meeting will be held in October, following a request by the UN Secretary-General himself, so that we can see how conditions are created for the resumption of negotiations,” the president said.
Christodoulides stressed that any improvement in EU-Turkey relations hinges on progress in the Cyprus file. “Any progress in EU-Turkey relations depends on the resumption of talks on the basis of the agreed framework,” he said, referring to the UN-backed model of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation.
The Cypriot leader also pointed to the expected visit of the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy to Cyprus in late October, suggesting that these parallel efforts could help build momentum. “Our clear political will is a given and I repeat that the EU can play a leading role,” he added.
Since taking office, Christodoulides has pushed for a more active EU role in the Cyprus negotiations. He welcomed the appointment of a senior European Commission official to liaise on the issue, describing it as a sign that Brussels is taking the matter seriously.
Energy costs and ETS2 dominate EU talks
Beyond Cyprus, Christodoulides reported on Thursday’s discussions among EU leaders on energy prices and the bloc’s second Emissions Trading System (ETS2). He noted that some member states initially reluctant to back proposals from Mediterranean and Central European countries, as well as the Balkan B4 group, had now recognised the need to adopt them.
On ETS2, which would extend carbon pricing to road transport and buildings, the president said the wording agreed in the European Council’s conclusions was satisfactory. “As it stands at the moment, as agreed last night, the wording satisfies us,” he said.
He added that the European Commission appeared to acknowledge the need to further delay the system’s implementation, warning that it could add to the burden on households and businesses already struggling with high energy costs. The president also noted that it remained unclear when the energy crisis would end.
The discussions come as EU leaders grapple with soaring energy prices and divergent national interests. Christodoulides said talks should focus on identifying gaps and considering further measures, including a possible EU mechanism to respond to the use of migrants as a tool of political pressure.
Migration: no clashes between member states
On migration, Christodoulides cautioned that public disagreements between EU member states could send the wrong signal to citizens. “A clash is certainly not the most appropriate or the best message we can send to European citizens, especially on an issue we know concerns all member states,” he said.
Despite the challenges, he pointed to progress in managing migration across the EU, citing a 90% drop in arrivals in Cyprus and a 180% increase in returns compared with 2022.
Hard-fought negotiations over the EU budget
Turning to the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), Christodoulides described the position of the Irish Presidency as difficult, noting that the Cypriot Presidency had previously managed to secure agreement on key aspects of the budget. He said the matter now lies in the hands of the President of the European Council, with discussions expected to focus on more concrete proposals for new EU own resources.
The objective, he said, is to avoid any further reduction of the EU budget or, if that proves unavoidable, to keep it to an absolute minimum. Asked about member states’ reactions to proposals for new revenue sources, Christodoulides said some countries had expressed reservations due to national priorities, while others had responded positively to certain ideas.
The negotiations over the next EU budget are part of a broader debate about the bloc’s priorities and financing, as outlined in this analysis of the new framework. The outcome will shape how the EU invests in competitiveness, cohesion, and climate action in the coming years.
