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  • NICOSIA: New EU document to call on Turkey to 'normalise' relationsw

    New EU document to call on Turkey to 'normalise' relations with Cyprus
    By Myria Antoniadou in Brussels

    Cyprus Mail, Cyprus
    June 28 2005

    ANKARA is being called upon to "normalise" its relations with all EU
    member states, including the Republic of Cyprus, in the framework
    of negotiations' with Turkey to be discussed by the Commissioners
    tomorrow.

    Sources believe this reference is of particular importance to
    Nicosia, as it could use it in future discussions within the Council.
    For example, Nicosia can refuse to open the transport chapter during
    the negotiations with Ankara, scheduled to start on October 3, unless
    Turkey opens its ports and airports to Cypriot interests.

    The framework also calls on Turkey to support the continued efforts
    for a settlement in Cyprus and to make further steps in creating a
    favourable climate.

    At the same time, it asks Turkey to fulfil its obligations regarding
    the Association Council (customs union) and in particular to extend
    the additional protocol to all member states.

    The protocol has been approved by the EU and but it still remains to
    be signed by the Turkish government.

    However, sources told the Mail they did not believe Ankara would sign
    the protocol till mid or end of September, just before negotiations
    begin, as it is viewed as de facto recognition of Cyprus and therefore
    a very contentious issue in Turkey.

    The negotiations framework also calls upon Turkey to respect human
    rights as well as relevant European case law. The latter is considered
    important to Cyprus because of decisions such as the Titina Loizidou
    case by the European Court of Human Rights.

    Some parties in Brussels view these references as a change from the
    position held towards Cyprus by the previous enlargement Commissioner
    Gunter Verheugen. His successor Olli Rehn appears to be more open
    to discussion and less inclined towards a blame game, while at the
    same time maintaining a good relationship with Cypriot Commissioner
    Markos Kyprianou.

    The document will be sent to the Council for approval, and therefore
    nobody knows its final references.

    The government is expected to try adding more elements, like the need
    for the withdrawal of Turkish troops and settlers or an end to the
    illegal construction in the north, but this is difficult to achieve
    in such a brief document. It may feel it has more chance to have them
    included in the 'revised accession partnership' to be finalised after
    the start of talks. The framework of the negotiations with Turkey also
    refers to the need for good neighbourly relations, which is of interest
    to Greece, Armenia and the Kurds. Reflecting the discussion going
    on within the EU over the past weeks, there is a clear reference to
    the fact that the negotiations are "open ended" the Mail has learned.
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