www.talkcyprus.org

cannedmoose

The Council's legal experts have stated that Turkey's declaration on not recognizing Cyprus should not be an obstacle to starting EU talks in October, with a compromise supported by France on the way, according to diplomats.

The issue is set to dominate the informal meeting of foreign ministers in Newport, Wales, starting on Thursday (1 september).

The ambassadors discussed the legal opinion on Ankara's declaration, issued as an attachment to its signature under the customs union protocol with EU 25 member states, including Cyprus.

According to the Council experts, the declaration - stating that the approval of the protocol with Cyprus does not mean an official recognition of the republic - is an "additional, unilateral document with limited influence, which does not change the provisions of the protocol and should not therefore complicate the situation or create difficulties for starting the negotiations", an official told EUobserver.

"It seems like France has softened its stance and has supported a compromise solution with several other countries", he said.

The compromise might take the form of a counter-declaration, stating that the customs union protocol must be fully implemented, but its full wording will be further discussed by foreign ministers in Wales.

However, both the member states and the commission are ready to step up pressure on Turkey that it stop banning ships and planes from Cyprus in its ports and air space, stressing it is not in line with the customs union agreement Turkey signed in late July.

Full article at http://euobserver.com/?sid=9&aid=19756

brother · Joined: 15 Aug 2005 Posts: 8920 Location: London/Cyprus

Some really tough days ahead for Turkey, i wonder if they will accept to open the ports or what.

erolz · Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 4195 Location: Kyrenia / Girne

brother wrote: Some really tough days ahead for Turkey, i wonder if they will accept to open the ports or what.
I certainly hope they do myself.

I also think if they do they should then lobby hard for the Republic of Cyprus to also make similar moves to 'normalise' it's relationship to the Republic of Northern Cyprus in a similar way.

Yes I understand that the Republic of Cyprus is international recognised and the Republic of Northern Cyprus is not. However Turkey is being asked / made to , in the spirit of looking for a compromise and solution to allow normalisation with an entity it does not recognise and I think that similar pressure should in turn be placed on the Republic of Cyprus to do likewise with an entity it does not recognise (the Republic of Northern Cyprus). That would be my hope.

cannedmoose · Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 11:27 am Post subject:

Everyone's weighing in on the bandwagon now...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4203544.stm

Quote: Europe's Parliament has postponed a vote on Turkey's new customs agreement with the EU, following a row over Ankara's refusal to recognise Cyprus.

cannedmoose · Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 11:34 am Post subject:

And here is yet another issue that could feature...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4205708.stm

I have to say, it's going to come as one hell of a culture shock to the Turkish government if accession negotiations do begin as expected. So much is going to have to change for Turkey to achieve compliance with European norms, which will amount to a radical revision of the structures and ethos of the Turkish state. Whether it has the stomach for doing so is another question entirely.

brother · Joined: 15 Aug 2005 Posts: 8920 Location: London/Cyprus

Turkey defies EU on Cypriot ships and planes

TURKEY yesterday defied mounting European Union pressure to open its ports and airports to Cypriot ships and planes, saying they would remain closed despite the imminent start of Ankara’s EU entry talks.

http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/

The rest of the article at this link.

Looks like the stakes have gone up a notch, next week the crunch will come i reckon.