The European way of life is built upon the fundamental values of freedom, democracy, solidarity and the rule of law. The EPP has consistently led the way in defending these core European values. The EPP firmly condemns any violation of international law and any actions that violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of any independent country. Cyprus, an EU Member State, has remained under continued Turkish occupation for over 50 years. Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus is not just a national issue but a matter of fundamental importance for the European Union as a whole. On this basis, and, a) Endorsing the EPP Leaders’ Retreat Statement “Our Priorities for 2025: Boosting competitiveness, fighting illegal migration, and promoting security”, adopted 18 January 2025 in Berlin; b) Reaffirming the Resolution “EPP in the Mediterranean: Renewed Partnership Based on Common Interest and Mutual Trust”, adopted by the EPP Political Assembly 22 November 2024 in Malta; c) Reiterating our commitment to the “EPP Political Manifesto 2024”, adopted at the EPP Congress 7 March 2024 in Bucharest; d) Recalling the EPP Resolution “Recent Developments in the Cyprus Problem”, adopted at the EPP Congress in Rotterdam 1 June 2022, as well as all previous resolutions adopted by the EPP on the Cyprus issue; e) Considering all previous European Council Conclusions on Türkiye; The EPP reaffirms its strong commitment to a just, sustainable and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and in line with EU law, values and principles, without the presence of foreign troops, the anachronistic system of guarantees or any kind of foreign dependencies. The EPP reiterates that Cyprus’s EU membership constitutes the best guarantee for the security, stability and prosperity of all Cypriots. The EPP condemns the continuing violation of the status quo in the ghost city of Varosha by Türkiye and the Turkish Cypriot leaders, regarding the reopening of a part of the fenced-off area. The EPP reiterates that any attempt to settle any part of Varosha by people other than its lawful inhabitants is unacceptable. The EPP underlines the importance of the status of Varosha and demands full compliance by Türkiye with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions as well as the High-Level Agreement of 1979, reached between the President of the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot leader, which defined the framework for the immediate return of Varosha to its lawful inhabitants and the transfer of this area to the administration of the UN. The EPP calls for the reversal of all unilateral actions and violations committed in Varosha since October 2020 in line with the UN Security Council Presidential Statement of 23 July 2021 and the declaration issued by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on 27 July 2021. The EPP has consistently maintained that no European security architecture can be complete while an EU Member State remains under foreign military occupation. Europe’s security must be built on unity, clear principles and consistency. Not on ambiguity or double standards. As unanimously agreed in the ‘‘European Defence & Security’’ EPP Leaders’ Statement of 20 March 2025: “Any cooperation with external partners in matters of security and foreign policy must fully consider the sensitivities of all Member States and be firmly grounded in respect for their sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity. Upholding EU law, values, and principles is a fundamental prerequisite for establishing meaningful partnerships that contribute to a strategically autonomous European security architecture.” The EU should send a strong message of solidarity to Cyprus by assuming a more active role in overcoming the deadlock and resuming negotiations to end the 51-year-long occupation of Cyprus by Türkiye and to reunify the island on the basis of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, with political equality, in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, EU principles and the acquis. The unacceptable partitionist rhetoric of Türkiye for a two-state solution, which is contrary to international law and a blatant deviation from the agreed negotiation framework, will never be accepted by Europe and the international community. Türkiye’s insistence on a two-state solution does not constitute a constructive approach ahead of a possible resumption of Cyprus talks; it threatens regional stability in an era of increased volatility and further complicates EU-Türkiye relations. The EPP welcomes and fully supports the efforts of the UN Secretary-General to overcome the current stalemate and pave the way for the resumption of negotiations for the solution of the Cyprus problem. In this regard, the EPP fully supports the initiative of the UN Secretary-General to convene an informal five-party conference, with the participation of Greece, Türkiye and the United Kingdom, which took place in March 2025 in Geneva. The EPP positively assesses the steps agreed upon and announced by the UN Secretary-General, which include: The discussion and implementation of a specific set of Confidence Building Measures, an agreement for the informal five-party conference to be reconvened in July 2025, and the appointment of a Personal Envoy on Cyprus by the UN Secretary-General to prepare the next steps. The EPP also acknowledges and applauds the committed efforts of the president of the Republic of Cyprus, which led to positive developments. The EPP calls on Türkiye to seize this opportunity by actively and constructively engaging in UN-led efforts for the resumption and advancement of meaningful negotiations for the solution of the Cyprus problem in accordance with the agreed framework. Such an outcome would serve as a decisive factor in enhancing the implementation and scope of a positive EU-Türkiye agenda. The EPP remains committed to closely monitoring developments and actively supporting all efforts toward a just, viable and comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue.