Cyprus-Forum.com

[Mike]

After April here is another 'yes' or 'no' dilemma for Cypriots: Yes or No to the beginning of accession talks of Turkey with the EU?
Like April again there is a cost to pay with either decision.
Say 'yes': you loose the 'ace' that you thought you had.
Say 'no': The Americans and the British will be more eager than ever to take you down.
Sometimes it seems to me that some of our EU partners are actually trying to make Cyprus say 'no' so they will not have to do it themselves. Do you think this can be true?

[Chrisswirl]

Some countries are more enthusiastic for Turkey to join the EU than others, for sure, but I would have to say "YES". In my oppinion, if Turkey joins the EU, there will be a need to sort out issues in Cyprus just like they are talking about the Aegean at the moment (what exactly are they talking about though? who wants what and why? if the turks are claiming the islands is greece claiming Smyrna?). We need a European Turkey and friendship between Greece and Turkey, and Turkey being in the EU helps this friendship to be cemented.

[cannedmoose]

After April here is another 'yes' or 'no' dilemma for Cypriots: Yes or No to the beginning of accession talks of Turkey with the EU?
Like April again there is a cost to pay with either decision.
Say 'yes': you loose the 'ace' that you thought you had.
Say 'no': The Americans and the British will be more eager than ever to take you down.
Sometimes it seems to me that some of our EU partners are actually trying to make Cyprus say 'no' so they will not have to do it themselves. Do you think this can be true?

Mike, you are right that Cyprus does face a dilemma as regards the opening of accession negotiations between the EU and Turkey. But let me suggest an alternative reading of the scenario.

If Turkey receives a "no" from the European Council in December, it will no longer feel pressure to adapt to European norms or to take a moderate stance on Cyprus. A "no" will undoubtedly result in the collapse of the Erdogan administration, which has by any measure in Turkish history pursued a course favourable to a solution, especially when compared to that taken by previous PM Ecevit who believed he'd solved the Cyprus problem in 1974.

If Cyprus stood alone in saying "no", which despite noises emanating from France and Germany would be a solo position, it would again make Cyprus appear as the 'bogeyman' in the eyes of the rest of the world. It is therefore not in the island's interest to do so.

By agreeing to allow negotiations to commence, Cyprus would not lose its "ace", rather the ace would grow in importance. The opening of negotiations does not guarantee final membership for Turkey, instead it puts greater onus on Turkey to dance to the EU's tune and make concrete changes in policy and practice a la those made by the 10 new member states. A "yes" to membership negotiations increases Cyprus' opportunities and will ultimately allow for the formal linkage of a solution to final membership negotiations in the distant future.

Hence, we should all have fingers crossed that Tassos will not flex Cyprus' muscles in December. If he does, they will whither away quickly afterwards. A solution can only come by engaging with Turkey and creating a formal role for the EU (in turn, removing that of the UN which has been proved not up to the job). Let us look forward to a future in which Turkey and Cyprus can live side-by-side in peace and as partners in Europe.

[Bananiot]

Well said, Turkey needs to get the date for the sake of all of us. Only political morons can argue differently. However, if a solution is not found just before Turkey gets the date, then there is no way Turkey will hurry to solve the problem. Ideally, Turkey's date should be tied in with finding a solution, but the problem is with our (GC) side. This is because the only plan that is on the table is the A plan and Turkey (and the TC's) will only agree for a solution based on this plan. The plan has been adopted by the EE so do not expect the EE to come up with something different. Besides, the EE can not play the role of the UN.

So, if we consider that Turkey gets the date in December and dispite the efforts of all the important players we do not want to hear about the A plan (Papadopoulos buried it in the UN 3 days ago) then we can expect Turkey to start thinking about a solution just prior to her accession, in 15 or more years. By then, there can be one solution. Partition or confederation of two independent states at best. Papadopoulos knows this, but those that have known him since the early sixtys take an oath that this is what he is really striving for.

By the way, have you heard about the decision of the Cyprus Supreme Court regarding the TC Arif something, who won the case about returning to his house and orchard in Episkopi area from where he left 30 years ago?

The lawyer of the current GC owners ofthe property, arch nationalist Taramountas was quoted as saying that "Aeolus Sac has been opened", meaning that hundreds of TC's will take their cases to the Supreme court. What a mess!

[erolz]

By the way, have you heard about the decision of the Cyprus Supreme Court regarding the TC Arif something, who won the case about returning to his house and orchard in Episkopi area from where he left 30 years ago?

Some links here

http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.ph ... &archive=1

http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.ph ... &archive=1

[brother]

We all agree its a good thing that turkey becomes an E.U member but our biggest gripe should be about the people who want to divide the island.

[Piratis]

I disagree. I am not saying that Cyprus has alone the power to stop Turkey, but we can help in that direction since there are many more forces in EU that would not like such development either.

Turkey will leave from Cyprus only when their forced. Make their stock market go downhill and then you will see how many within Turkey will start realizing that Cyprus is just way too costly to keep.

If there is no cost for them, they will never make any compromises just out of goodwill.

I disagree with the "good boys" policies. Turkey occupies Cyprus, violates the Cyprus and Greek airspace constantly, and they have claims in the Aegean. When they are so hostile to us we should respond in a similar way to make them understand that they have a lot more to gain if they stop the hostilities and have us as their friends.

[metecyp]

Turkey will leave from Cyprus only when their forced. Make their stock market go downhill and then you will see how many within Turkey will start realizing that Cyprus is just way too costly to keep.

And who is exactly going to force Turkey leave Cyprus? US, UK? You think that any European country would actually risk the benefits of its relationship with Turkey for the sake of Cyprus? I don't think so.

[Piratis]

And who is exactly going to force Turkey leave Cyprus? US, UK? You think that any European country would actually risk the benefits of its relationship with Turkey for the sake of Cyprus? I don't think so.

Sure, other EU countries will not do it for the sake of Cyprus. But Cyprus should do it for its own sake along with the many others in EU that do not want Turkey for their own reasons. (and they are not few)

It should be made clear to Turkey that Greece and Cyprus will side with those that reject their accession if Turkey continues to occupy Cyprus.

So Turkey should know that they should do 5-6 things to be accepted, and one of those things should be the end of the occupation. This does not need to be said by any EU officials. Greece and Cyprus have a veto power, and they can make it clear to Turkey that this is indeed a requirement they have to meet before they become an EU member.

[mehmet]

Turkey did not think of its stock market in 1974, do you seriously think it would abandon Turkish Cypriots on that basis?

You don't need to worry about veto, others will do that for you and that way RoC/Greece can escape the blame.

Peace at the point of humiliation will be a false peace and anyone would be foolish to imagine it will end the problem any more than the actions of Turkey in `974 'solved' Cyprus problem.