Fear of isolation grips Greek Cypriot ahead of key EU meetings

[brother]

Fear of isolation grips Greek Cypriots ahead of key EU meetings

Wednesday, August 24, 2005


ANKARA - Turkish Daily News

  The Greek Cypriot administration has been studying possible scenarios regarding the attitude of 24 European Union partners on Turkey's non-recognition of Greek Cyprus, with the worst-case scenario appearing to be ?remaining alone.?

  Greek Cypriot leader Tassos Papadopoulos earlier this week informed members of the Greek Cypriot National Council on the attitude he would assume concerning Turkey's refusal to recognize Greek Cyprus during the upcoming meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives in the European Union (COREPER) on Aug. 31, and then an unofficial gathering of EU foreign ministers on Sept. 1 and 2.

  Ankara signed a protocol last month extending its existing customs union deal with the EU to new members of the bloc, including Greek Cyprus. Nevertheless, Turkey announced in an attached declaration that the signing of the protocol would not amount to official recognition of the Greek Cypriot government.

  Greek Cypriot daily Phileleftheros reported yesterday that Greek Cyprus as the only EU member that continues to raise Turkey's recognition of Greek Cyprus as a condition for starting accession talks with the bloc was among the scenarios discussed during the council's meeting.

  The Greek Cypriot administration has been concerned that EU members might not take heed of its opinion regarding the recognition issue, the daily said.

  

Greece, Greek Cyprus regard France's attitude as ?key':

  The daily said that Papadopoulos, during his meeting with Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis in Athens last week, was assured of the full support of the Greek government whatever the Greek Cypriot thesis.

  Now the question being argued by the Greek and Greek Cypriot governments is what will happen if they cannot find any other EU members in favor of the Greek Cypriot thesis, Phileleftheros said.

  Papadopoulos is preparing to lobby partners on the "old continent" and expects French government insistence on raising Turkey's recognition of Greek Cyprus as a new condition for the start of Turkey's accession talks in order to stand against Turkey, the daily said.

  Another Greek Cypriot daily, Politis, backed up Phileleftheros' report, saying both the Greek Cypriot administration and Athens regard the French attitude as ?key? to the entire issue.

[magikthrill]

let's see how stupid T-Pap is if he is going to push for recognition in October for negotiations to begin.

Also, brother, could you put links under every article you post just to know where the info is coming from. Thanks.

[brother]

[gabs]

cyprus is in a political position over the use of its veto.
seen to be in a damned if we do and damned if we dont situation.



Constantinopolitis
your letter to pm blair contains nothing he doesnt know or hasnt been told.
stick it in the round file huh? along to all the letters ive sent him about speed cameras in london.

you suggest he is urging eu states for some kind of political rapport with Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. In fairness to him this may be out of his own experiences with the ulster problem, where peace is now at least a few steps closer than during the negotiating embargo imposed periods of previous british governments.

talking does make some sense.

does your name suggest you're still having problems recognising istanbul.

[magikthrill]

i think his name implies he has origins from istanbul. also constantinoupoli is the greek name of istanbul. just like we are called Hellenes in our language but in Turkish we are called Yunan...

[cannedmoose]

To be honest, I think it's going to be a classic EU fudge. The French and others will be persuaded to defer their veto on Turkey's accession until a later time, probably in the hope that they announce a referendum in the future and in the fullness of time the idea is dropped.

As for Cyprus, I think TPap will come under a heap of pressure from the UK Presidency and others not to wave the right of veto around the room. Veto is certainly a dirty word in Brussels and Cyprus would be well-advised not to threaten it. Rather, I think TPap will be advised by those who support Turkey's accession talks, that the accession process will contain numerous opportunities at key stages for informal discussions between representatives of the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey, in which the recognition and other issues can be pursued. Ultimately, Cyprus will continue to wield the right of veto on Turkey's ultimate accession, at which time the stakes will be far higher for Turkey given that she will have made (at least in theory) all of the necessary adjustments in order to be a member of the Union.

I guess it all depends on whether TPap wants some glory himself at this stage, or whether he's willing to defer the fight and let someone else potentially reap the rewards. If he's planning to stand again in 2008, it will certainly be interesting to see the stance he adopts in the run-up to that election.

[MicAtCyp]

[brother]

[Mete]

[brother]

[MicAtCyp]

[brother]

[cannedmoose]

[detailer]

MitAtCyp,

Can I ask you one question?


If this is really a big deal for you(not everyone in EU thinks like that btw)

[detailer]

It is this common mentality amongst Greek Cypriot who forces Turkish Cypriot to consider "disguised partition". They think that the term "turk" is completely unadaptable to Europe(their understanding). They put down ottoman culture, successes, whatever.... since they first knew them until today, unfortunately even tomorrow.

How can I trust this guy if I apply to him (assuming he is as an employer) for a job that he will truly assess my qualifications and capacity? If I accept all his absolutism, maybe... What about if I dont?