EU will positively engage with Turkey if it refrains from illegal activities 

Speaking after the two-day EU Council meeting, Mr Martin said while the council strongly condemns violations by Turkey of the sovereign rights of Cypus. File image.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the EU Council will launch positive political engagements with Turkey if the country refrains from its "legal activities vis-à-vis Greece and Cyprus."

Speaking after the two-day EU Council meeting, Mr Martin said while the council strongly condemns violations by Turkey of the sovereign rights of Cyprus, it did discuss the importance of a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean.