The EU’s Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell on Monday said that he had presented a ‘paper about options’ to EU member countries concerning the possibility of measures against those involved in activities in the fenced-off town of Maraş.

He however also called for confidence-building measures to help bring closer a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Borrell, speaking after the foreign affairs council (FAC) in Brussels said that among other issues on their agenda was the impact of the steps taken last July by the TRNC in Maraş to reopen the fenced-off town for settlement.

“We presented an options paper and we agreed to make an evaluation of those options on the table which will also include the creation of a specific sanctions regime focusing on persons and entities with direct involvement in the opening of part of Maraş after last July,” Borrell said.

Borrell said that the FAC considers that creating the conditions for an environment conducive to a solution remains crucial, and “that confidence-building measures with regards to Maraş are of key importance and will help in reaching a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue”.

Responding to a question by a member of the press, he clarified that the options paper was just that: “a paper about options, not a proposal to decide on anything concrete but a guide to discuss possible action”.