CAN CYPRUS VETO TURKISH ENTRY TO E.U
by mehmet » Wed Oct 27, 2004 9:15 pm
Read your own posts, it's you who introduced the word 'thriving'. I was responding to your comment 'they conveniantly got rid of the Christians' and 'this is the mentality we (you mean Greek Cypriots? you certainly don't mean me) are up against'. If you want your perception of Turkey to come from your schoolbooks go ahead, it wont get you anywhere near to a solution in Cyprus.
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by brother » Thu Oct 28, 2004 2:24 pm
28 October 2004 Turkish Daily News
Is Cyprus an obstacle?
Greek Cypriot officials and Greek President Costis Stefanopulos want us to recognize the "Republic of Cyprus" before we get a date to start membership negotiations at the Dec. 17 European Union summit, and threaten a veto if it's not done.
According to trusted sources, Greek Cypriots and their supporters in the commission worked very hard to include Turkey's recognition before Dec. 17 as a condition in the EU Commission report, but failed to do so. The Greek Cypriots were told that they could use their veto right in 2007 instead, when the negotiations truly start and a vote on the first of the 31 sections of the negotiation topics will take place.
On the third page of the recommendations made by the commission to the council, there is a roundabout citing of this matter. In the same paragraph, Turkey is asked to sign a protocol prepared by the commission in order for all new members, including the Greek Cypriots, to harmonize with the Ankara Treaty. If Turkey signs the protocol, it will have officially recognized the "Republic of Cyprus."
There is no set implementation process for the countries that became members before to adhere to the Ankara Treaty. Some are yet to sign the harmonization protocol. That's why the ten new members have no obligation to sign it.
Under these conditions, it is very hard for the Greek Cypriots to create trouble until 2007, or veto the start of the negotiations on Dec. 17. However, Greek Cypriot officials constantly mentioning their veto right shows that they want to obtain certain favors from us before Dec. 17. This way, they will be able to increase the favors they get once the negotiations start.
Additionally, their constant emphasis on their veto right both creates expectations in the Greek Cypriot public, and gives us the impression that they are trying to prepare us for the worst. Still, if they don't do as they say, they may damage their credibility and face a serious political crisis at home.
Some people in Turkey have started to say that we cannot avoid recognizing the Greek Cypriots. The EU also seems quite committed on this issue.
If we recognize the Greek Cypriot administration, we will be both accepting being seen as the occupiers of the north of the island and the "Republic of Cyprus" that toppled the 1960 system in 1963 and dominated the island by force until Turkey's intervention in 1974. This way, the Cyprus problem will be solved "by itself." And then the turn comes for Turkey and the settlers to withdraw from the island. Turkish Cypriots will become a minority and the EU will make all the promises in the world to assure us that they will protect the Turks on the island.
Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots should start thinking about whether they are ready for such an arrangement.
In resolving such disagreements, there is a concept called historical timing. This timing for Cyprus presented itself at the 1999 Helsinki EU summit decision, despite being unfavorable to us. Before that, there was neither the opportunity nor a reason for resolving the problem. For one to accuse KKTC President Rauf Denktas of being responsible for the failure to resolve the issue, one should be quite fixated.
There is a cost of ignoring and damaging the authority and the weight of the chief negotiator when the time comes to resolve the matter. This cost increased even further when Turkish Cypriots became divided and a "submissive" government was put in charge. Everybody, naturally, expected us to make boundless sacrifices. When we accepted a solution that no sovereign state could, we failed to persuade the Greek Cypriots, despite the fact that the fourth version of the plan, in U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's words, was amended in favor of them.
At the root of this problem lies the fact that the EU accepted one side as a member, while keeping the other out. The second version of the Annan plan, presented on Nov. 11, 2002, was hastily discussed for a month, before being released on Dec. 10. At the Brussels summit held two days later decided to accept the Greek Cypriots as members, claiming that the Turkish side had rejected the plan. Despite the fact that the Turkish side argued that they would accept the plan, if the economic embargo was lifted, the EU, which wanted to continue KKTC isolation, rejected the Turkish offer. In short, responsibility entirely lies with the EU and the Greek Cypriots.
Under such circumstances, why shouldn't Greek Cypriots use the veto right the EU gave them?
Is Cyprus an obstacle?
Greek Cypriot officials and Greek President Costis Stefanopulos want us to recognize the "Republic of Cyprus" before we get a date to start membership negotiations at the Dec. 17 European Union summit, and threaten a veto if it's not done.
According to trusted sources, Greek Cypriots and their supporters in the commission worked very hard to include Turkey's recognition before Dec. 17 as a condition in the EU Commission report, but failed to do so. The Greek Cypriots were told that they could use their veto right in 2007 instead, when the negotiations truly start and a vote on the first of the 31 sections of the negotiation topics will take place.
On the third page of the recommendations made by the commission to the council, there is a roundabout citing of this matter. In the same paragraph, Turkey is asked to sign a protocol prepared by the commission in order for all new members, including the Greek Cypriots, to harmonize with the Ankara Treaty. If Turkey signs the protocol, it will have officially recognized the "Republic of Cyprus."
There is no set implementation process for the countries that became members before to adhere to the Ankara Treaty. Some are yet to sign the harmonization protocol. That's why the ten new members have no obligation to sign it.
Under these conditions, it is very hard for the Greek Cypriots to create trouble until 2007, or veto the start of the negotiations on Dec. 17. However, Greek Cypriot officials constantly mentioning their veto right shows that they want to obtain certain favors from us before Dec. 17. This way, they will be able to increase the favors they get once the negotiations start.
Additionally, their constant emphasis on their veto right both creates expectations in the Greek Cypriot public, and gives us the impression that they are trying to prepare us for the worst. Still, if they don't do as they say, they may damage their credibility and face a serious political crisis at home.
Some people in Turkey have started to say that we cannot avoid recognizing the Greek Cypriots. The EU also seems quite committed on this issue.
If we recognize the Greek Cypriot administration, we will be both accepting being seen as the occupiers of the north of the island and the "Republic of Cyprus" that toppled the 1960 system in 1963 and dominated the island by force until Turkey's intervention in 1974. This way, the Cyprus problem will be solved "by itself." And then the turn comes for Turkey and the settlers to withdraw from the island. Turkish Cypriots will become a minority and the EU will make all the promises in the world to assure us that they will protect the Turks on the island.
Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots should start thinking about whether they are ready for such an arrangement.
In resolving such disagreements, there is a concept called historical timing. This timing for Cyprus presented itself at the 1999 Helsinki EU summit decision, despite being unfavorable to us. Before that, there was neither the opportunity nor a reason for resolving the problem. For one to accuse KKTC President Rauf Denktas of being responsible for the failure to resolve the issue, one should be quite fixated.
There is a cost of ignoring and damaging the authority and the weight of the chief negotiator when the time comes to resolve the matter. This cost increased even further when Turkish Cypriots became divided and a "submissive" government was put in charge. Everybody, naturally, expected us to make boundless sacrifices. When we accepted a solution that no sovereign state could, we failed to persuade the Greek Cypriots, despite the fact that the fourth version of the plan, in U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's words, was amended in favor of them.
At the root of this problem lies the fact that the EU accepted one side as a member, while keeping the other out. The second version of the Annan plan, presented on Nov. 11, 2002, was hastily discussed for a month, before being released on Dec. 10. At the Brussels summit held two days later decided to accept the Greek Cypriots as members, claiming that the Turkish side had rejected the plan. Despite the fact that the Turkish side argued that they would accept the plan, if the economic embargo was lifted, the EU, which wanted to continue KKTC isolation, rejected the Turkish offer. In short, responsibility entirely lies with the EU and the Greek Cypriots.
Under such circumstances, why shouldn't Greek Cypriots use the veto right the EU gave them?
-
brother - Main Contributor
- Posts: 4711
- Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2004 5:30 pm
- Location: Cyprus/U.K
by brother » Fri Oct 29, 2004 1:15 pm
Britain says Turkey must recognise Cyprus before EU membership
By Charlie Charalambous
BRITAIN'S Minister for Europe, Denis MacShane, has stressed that Turkey's path to EU accession should not be blocked but Ankara must also normalise relations with member state Cyprus if it is to achieve its European end goal.
Wary that the government could exercise its veto power when Brussels decides in December whether to start accession talks with Turkey, MacShane said "no conditions or preconditions" could be put on the table.
But he also acknowledged, Turkey would need to restore full diplomatic and bilateral ties with the Cyprus government if it was ever to achieve full membership.
"Turkey cannot join the European Union where it does not recognise one of its member states, this is a legal impossibility," said MacShane.
"This is a feeling shared by most ministers in Europe, the sooner this happens the better, but this is not a precondition...and I'm not getting into dates," he added.
MacShane made the comments at the end of his three-day trip to the island where he met President Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot politicians across the divide.
"I expressed Britain's clear view that Turkey should be told in December that all 25 governments of the European Union accept the European Commission's report on Turkey's application...negotiations should begin without delay," MacShane told reporters.
He was satisfied in his talks with Greek Cypriots that Cyprus believes "no-one should be seeking to veto Turkey's application".
But the Europe minister said Nicosia demanded a "new approach" from Ankara on a number of issues which prevent Cyprus exercising its full sovereign rights as a member of the EU.
The UK minister also made clear that Turkish occupation troops would have to leave Cyprus if Turkey wanted to become an EU partner.
"My fellow EU ministers are also asking important questions about why it is necessary to maintain tens of thousands of Turkish troops on Cyprus when no legitimate security need either for Turkey or the Turkish community justifies two divisions, if not more, of Turkish troops on the soil of an EU member state."
MacShane said the question had to be answered "sooner than later".
This will not go down well Ankara who resisted any suggestion of troop withdrawals from the island and has sidestepped the issue of recognising the Cyprus government
President Papadopoulos has said Nicosia would not stand in Turkey's way from securing an EU accession date if Turkey came around to officially recognising the Republic of Cyprus, as it does the other 24 EU states.
Nicosia also wants to link Turkey’s EU path with the end of 30 years of occupation.
Since Greek Cypriots rejected the Annan Plan,MacShane said it was now up to the Cypriots themselves and not the international community to broker a settlement.
"Cyprus needs to find a solution in Cyprus by Cypriots and not Brussels, Washington or London."
However, MacShane said that Britain firmly backed bringing the Turkish Cypriots out of economic isolation via direct trade and travel with Europe.
"Britain wants to see trade develop in Cyprus on the basis of EU norms which means trade in all directions, in all sectors."
MacShane also wants to see flights to all parts of Cyprus based on "commercial not political considerations".
By Charlie Charalambous
BRITAIN'S Minister for Europe, Denis MacShane, has stressed that Turkey's path to EU accession should not be blocked but Ankara must also normalise relations with member state Cyprus if it is to achieve its European end goal.
Wary that the government could exercise its veto power when Brussels decides in December whether to start accession talks with Turkey, MacShane said "no conditions or preconditions" could be put on the table.
But he also acknowledged, Turkey would need to restore full diplomatic and bilateral ties with the Cyprus government if it was ever to achieve full membership.
"Turkey cannot join the European Union where it does not recognise one of its member states, this is a legal impossibility," said MacShane.
"This is a feeling shared by most ministers in Europe, the sooner this happens the better, but this is not a precondition...and I'm not getting into dates," he added.
MacShane made the comments at the end of his three-day trip to the island where he met President Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot politicians across the divide.
"I expressed Britain's clear view that Turkey should be told in December that all 25 governments of the European Union accept the European Commission's report on Turkey's application...negotiations should begin without delay," MacShane told reporters.
He was satisfied in his talks with Greek Cypriots that Cyprus believes "no-one should be seeking to veto Turkey's application".
But the Europe minister said Nicosia demanded a "new approach" from Ankara on a number of issues which prevent Cyprus exercising its full sovereign rights as a member of the EU.
The UK minister also made clear that Turkish occupation troops would have to leave Cyprus if Turkey wanted to become an EU partner.
"My fellow EU ministers are also asking important questions about why it is necessary to maintain tens of thousands of Turkish troops on Cyprus when no legitimate security need either for Turkey or the Turkish community justifies two divisions, if not more, of Turkish troops on the soil of an EU member state."
MacShane said the question had to be answered "sooner than later".
This will not go down well Ankara who resisted any suggestion of troop withdrawals from the island and has sidestepped the issue of recognising the Cyprus government
President Papadopoulos has said Nicosia would not stand in Turkey's way from securing an EU accession date if Turkey came around to officially recognising the Republic of Cyprus, as it does the other 24 EU states.
Nicosia also wants to link Turkey’s EU path with the end of 30 years of occupation.
Since Greek Cypriots rejected the Annan Plan,MacShane said it was now up to the Cypriots themselves and not the international community to broker a settlement.
"Cyprus needs to find a solution in Cyprus by Cypriots and not Brussels, Washington or London."
However, MacShane said that Britain firmly backed bringing the Turkish Cypriots out of economic isolation via direct trade and travel with Europe.
"Britain wants to see trade develop in Cyprus on the basis of EU norms which means trade in all directions, in all sectors."
MacShane also wants to see flights to all parts of Cyprus based on "commercial not political considerations".
-
brother - Main Contributor
- Posts: 4711
- Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2004 5:30 pm
- Location: Cyprus/U.K
by brother » Fri Oct 29, 2004 1:16 pm
Britain says Turkey must recognise Cyprus before EU membership
By Charlie Charalambous
BRITAIN'S Minister for Europe, Denis MacShane, has stressed that Turkey's path to EU accession should not be blocked but Ankara must also normalise relations with member state Cyprus if it is to achieve its European end goal.
Wary that the government could exercise its veto power when Brussels decides in December whether to start accession talks with Turkey, MacShane said "no conditions or preconditions" could be put on the table.
But he also acknowledged, Turkey would need to restore full diplomatic and bilateral ties with the Cyprus government if it was ever to achieve full membership.
"Turkey cannot join the European Union where it does not recognise one of its member states, this is a legal impossibility," said MacShane.
"This is a feeling shared by most ministers in Europe, the sooner this happens the better, but this is not a precondition...and I'm not getting into dates," he added.
MacShane made the comments at the end of his three-day trip to the island where he met President Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot politicians across the divide.
"I expressed Britain's clear view that Turkey should be told in December that all 25 governments of the European Union accept the European Commission's report on Turkey's application...negotiations should begin without delay," MacShane told reporters.
He was satisfied in his talks with Greek Cypriots that Cyprus believes "no-one should be seeking to veto Turkey's application".
But the Europe minister said Nicosia demanded a "new approach" from Ankara on a number of issues which prevent Cyprus exercising its full sovereign rights as a member of the EU.
The UK minister also made clear that Turkish occupation troops would have to leave Cyprus if Turkey wanted to become an EU partner.
"My fellow EU ministers are also asking important questions about why it is necessary to maintain tens of thousands of Turkish troops on Cyprus when no legitimate security need either for Turkey or the Turkish community justifies two divisions, if not more, of Turkish troops on the soil of an EU member state."
MacShane said the question had to be answered "sooner than later".
This will not go down well Ankara who resisted any suggestion of troop withdrawals from the island and has sidestepped the issue of recognising the Cyprus government
President Papadopoulos has said Nicosia would not stand in Turkey's way from securing an EU accession date if Turkey came around to officially recognising the Republic of Cyprus, as it does the other 24 EU states.
Nicosia also wants to link Turkey’s EU path with the end of 30 years of occupation.
Since Greek Cypriots rejected the Annan Plan,MacShane said it was now up to the Cypriots themselves and not the international community to broker a settlement.
"Cyprus needs to find a solution in Cyprus by Cypriots and not Brussels, Washington or London."
However, MacShane said that Britain firmly backed bringing the Turkish Cypriots out of economic isolation via direct trade and travel with Europe.
"Britain wants to see trade develop in Cyprus on the basis of EU norms which means trade in all directions, in all sectors."
MacShane also wants to see flights to all parts of Cyprus based on "commercial not political considerations".
By Charlie Charalambous
BRITAIN'S Minister for Europe, Denis MacShane, has stressed that Turkey's path to EU accession should not be blocked but Ankara must also normalise relations with member state Cyprus if it is to achieve its European end goal.
Wary that the government could exercise its veto power when Brussels decides in December whether to start accession talks with Turkey, MacShane said "no conditions or preconditions" could be put on the table.
But he also acknowledged, Turkey would need to restore full diplomatic and bilateral ties with the Cyprus government if it was ever to achieve full membership.
"Turkey cannot join the European Union where it does not recognise one of its member states, this is a legal impossibility," said MacShane.
"This is a feeling shared by most ministers in Europe, the sooner this happens the better, but this is not a precondition...and I'm not getting into dates," he added.
MacShane made the comments at the end of his three-day trip to the island where he met President Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot politicians across the divide.
"I expressed Britain's clear view that Turkey should be told in December that all 25 governments of the European Union accept the European Commission's report on Turkey's application...negotiations should begin without delay," MacShane told reporters.
He was satisfied in his talks with Greek Cypriots that Cyprus believes "no-one should be seeking to veto Turkey's application".
But the Europe minister said Nicosia demanded a "new approach" from Ankara on a number of issues which prevent Cyprus exercising its full sovereign rights as a member of the EU.
The UK minister also made clear that Turkish occupation troops would have to leave Cyprus if Turkey wanted to become an EU partner.
"My fellow EU ministers are also asking important questions about why it is necessary to maintain tens of thousands of Turkish troops on Cyprus when no legitimate security need either for Turkey or the Turkish community justifies two divisions, if not more, of Turkish troops on the soil of an EU member state."
MacShane said the question had to be answered "sooner than later".
This will not go down well Ankara who resisted any suggestion of troop withdrawals from the island and has sidestepped the issue of recognising the Cyprus government
President Papadopoulos has said Nicosia would not stand in Turkey's way from securing an EU accession date if Turkey came around to officially recognising the Republic of Cyprus, as it does the other 24 EU states.
Nicosia also wants to link Turkey’s EU path with the end of 30 years of occupation.
Since Greek Cypriots rejected the Annan Plan,MacShane said it was now up to the Cypriots themselves and not the international community to broker a settlement.
"Cyprus needs to find a solution in Cyprus by Cypriots and not Brussels, Washington or London."
However, MacShane said that Britain firmly backed bringing the Turkish Cypriots out of economic isolation via direct trade and travel with Europe.
"Britain wants to see trade develop in Cyprus on the basis of EU norms which means trade in all directions, in all sectors."
MacShane also wants to see flights to all parts of Cyprus based on "commercial not political considerations".
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brother - Main Contributor
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- Joined: Mon Sep 27, 2004 5:30 pm
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