www.talkcyprus.org

[erolz]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4227744.stm

Quote: Turkey should become an EU member state despite refusing to recognise Cyprus, UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said.

[cannedmoose]

Sorry Jack, I don't think this argument will wash. There is honestly no prospect of Turkey joining the EU without at some point recognising the existence of the Republic of Cyprus. It is frankly inconceivable that Turkey could join without recognising all the existing member states. We may want Turkey in the EU for all sorts of reasons, but if they fail to recognise the Republic of Cyprus, it will not happen, and no end of bullying, intimidation nor cajoling will change that.

[cannedmoose]

Here's an excerpt from Straw's speech that most concerns us... for those wanting to read the whole speech, you can do so here:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391647&a=KArticle&aid=1125560457817

Quote: That then is the big picture – the strategic imperative for Turkey to move towards membership of the European Union. Turkey's nearest neighbours in the EU – Greece and Cyprus – have been among the strongest supporters of this strategic imperative. And Turkey's progress towards membership is clearly in the interests of that region – a region still bedevilled by unresolved disputes – including those over Cyprus and over the Aegean.

I would have preferred it if the Government of Turkey had not felt it necessary to issue its declaration stating that its signature of the Association Agreement Protocol did not amount to recognition of the Republic of Cyprus. By doing so the process has frankly been made more difficult. The European Union is discussing how to respond and will do so appropriately. Our common goal is to ensure that the Customs Union between Turkey and all 25 EU member states – including Cyprus – is implemented fully and without discrimination.

But acknowledging that Turkey's declaration raises genuine concerns – which we, as Presidency, are working hard to address - does not mean that we should delay the start of Turkey's historic accession negotiations. We should have faith in the power of the Union to help resolve problems.

Our own experience in the UK suggests that the engagement within the European Union can help to resolve the most difficult of disputes. When the UK and the Republic of Ireland joined the then European Economic Community in 1973, there was still a very significant and unresolved argument about the sovereignty of part of the territory of the UK. Ireland, by its own constitution, lay claim to Northern Ireland – part of the UK. I cannot prove that EU membership resolved our differences with Ireland over their claim to Northern Ireland. But I do believe that the shared prosperity from the EU, the very much closer commercial and economic ties and the very fact of regular political contact on mundane, daily business of the Union at the very least made the peace process 25 years later much easier and in many ways imperative. But I actually think that historians of the future will give more credit to the joint membership of the EU in resolving this significant territorial dispute. And while the people of Ireland showed impeccable behaviour during the entry of Ireland into the EU, we should not forget the bloody backdrop to our joint accession in 1973. Terrorists were carrying out atrocities both in Northern Ireland and on the mainland of Britain. This was hardly a propitious beginning. But the territorial dispute has since been resolved.

And while we are on the topic, it is public knowledge that Spain and the United Kingdom have a difference of emphasis over Gibraltar. This steps from the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht and from Article 10 in particular. The Article says that we can have it but if we give it up it goes to Spain. I paraphrase. This has caused lots of problems – particularly for the people of Gibraltar. But I hope a resolution will be found and if and when it is, I believe that it will stem from our joint membership of the EU.

I want Cyprus – Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots alike - to reap the same benefit. This is not a new approach that the UK is taking. Faith in the EU's healing power, was one reason why in 1997 we took the lead in arguing that the absence of settlement in Cyprus should not be a barrier to the Republic of Cyprus joining the EU. This was confirmed by the European Union in 1999. We should keep this faith, by allowing Turkey's accession process to go ahead and – the other key ingredient – by helping the parties in Cyprus to re-invigorate their UN-sponsored search for a settlement under the good offices of the UN Secretary General and under the authority of a number of UN Security Council Resolutions.

[-mikkie2-]

This is all hogwash.

Jack Staw comparing Gibraltar to Cyprus? The status of Gibraltar is set by treaty. The current status of Cyprus is invasion and occupation and division contrary to the constitution of the RoCy.

The stance of the UK is pitiful. Next week the Germans will most likely elect Merkel as their next Chancellor. Does Straw think that getting an agreement over the EU counter declaration any easier?

Cyprus is being led into a corner, and quite frankly the Cyprus government should not agree the negotiating mandate for Turkey to start talks with the EU. The EU presidency is acting as if they are desperate to allow Turkey to join. So what if the Turks turn their back on the EU? Don't they have much to loose as well by doing so? Don't they have much to loose if the region remains unstable? Its pathetic!

[brother]

-mikkie2- wrote: This is all hogwash.

Jack Staw comparing Gibraltar to Cyprus? The status of Gibraltar is set by treaty. The current status of Cyprus is invasion and occupation and division contrary to the constitution of the RoCy.

The stance of the UK is pitiful. Next week the Germans will most likely elect Merkel as their next Chancellor. Does Straw think that getting an agreement over the EU counter declaration any easier?

Cyprus is being led into a corner, and quite frankly the Cyprus government should not agree the negotiating mandate for Turkey to start talks with the EU. The EU presidency is acting as if they are desperate to allow Turkey to join. So what if the Turks turn their back on the EU? Don't they have much to loose as well by doing so? Don't they have much to loose if the region remains unstable? Its pathetic!



I don't think that scroeder is out just yet and current polls have shown he has made a big comeback with voter confidense, i think you are being niave to think merkel is going to win as a forgone conclusion.


If the Turks turn there backs on the EU they(EU) know that russia is already openly asking them to become partners and they have already signed millatary cooperation agreements with china, and this would also throw back the plans for the EU to show islam and democracy is compatible and use turkey as an example in the middle east as a way of introducing democracy effectively, in short this is a marriage of beneficial proportions for all concerned imo.

[gabs]

i used to think that those who suggested the eu was a christian club were paranoid - i've since changed my mind.

if it wasnt the cyprob it would be the armenian issue, if not that something else.

France and Austria should wake up to the truths of the evolving world.
Austrian objections imo are racially based, (very eu huh), and france's objections are sour grapes.

if as moosey says turkey can not join without recognising Republic of Cyprus, then what incentive is there for Greek Cypriot to come to the peace table?

Turkey will fight hard for membership, but there is a point where enough is enough. Then what happens? Partition?

If the french and co. really want a cyprus sollution they should rethink their policies. If not then they should be big enough to state what their true objections really are.