Cyprus-Forum.com

[Paphitis]

Cyprus may hamper Turkey's EU bid

Cyprus's Foreign Minister says his country might block more chapters of negotiations over Turkey's accession to the European Union.

"...as long as there are threats regarding the exercise of our sovereign right to exploit the natural resources within our Exclusive Economic Zone, in accordance with international law and in particular the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, it is very difficult for us to embark on discussions on the relevant Chapter of the negotiations," Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou was quoted by Turkish daily Hurriyet as saying on Monday.

According to the minister Cyprus - an EU member since 2004 - will veto the opening of negotiations on energy chapter scheduled to be inaugurated in December.

Turkey and Cyprus are at odds over Cyprus's oil exploration activities in the Mediterranean Sea with the island claiming that Turkey has harassed Cypriote research vessels in the exploration zone on four occasions since November.

Turkey however says the ships had violated its territorial waters.

Ankara has been negotiating several chapters on the country's accession to the EU but it has so far closed only one chapter successfully.

Ankara has been at loggerheads with Nicosia since Turkey's military invasion of Cyprus in 1974. Any bid to join the European Union should receive approval from all member stats.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=78 ... =351020204

Good to see that Cyprus will very soon up the ante by reserving her right to veto Turkey's much talked about EU Energy chapter.

Here is what the Turkish media have to say about the matter.

http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/dome ... .asp?scr=1

This is becoming a very hot topic atm, with the Americans also fearing the probability of Turkey's EU bid coming to an abrupt halt.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122937745810108233.html

http://news-en.trend.az/important/exclu ... 72295.html

Those of you that stated that Cyprus could not possibly put an end to Turkey's slow march towards EU accession really do need to reconsider your analysis. It is now crunch time for Turkey.

And as I stated in this thread:

http://www.cyprus-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=20790

THE TIME FOR TURKEY TO CHOOSE BETWEEN EAST OR WEST IS FAST APPROACHING!

[Kikapu]

"This is one of those rare occasions where size does not matter, but only what you can do with it"

[Oracle]

Cyprus might block Turkey's EU path

By FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE ONLINE STAFF 16.DEC.08

Cyprus' Foreign Minister says his country might block more chapters of negotiations over Turkey's accession to the European Union.

"...as long as there are threats regarding the exercise of our sovereign right to exploit the natural resources within our Exclusive Economic Zone, in accordance with international law and in particular the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, it is very difficult for us to embark on discussions on the relevant Chapter of the negotiations," Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou was quoted by Turkish daily Hurriyet as saying on Monday.

According to the minister Cyprus will veto the opening of negotiations on energy chapter scheduled to be inaugurated in December.

Turkey and Cyprus are at odds over Cyprus's oil exploration activities in the Mediterranean Sea with the island claiming that Turkey has harassed Cypriote research vessels in the exploration zone on four occasions since November.

Turkey however says the ships had violated its territorial waters.

Ankara has been negotiating several chapters on the country's accession to the EU but it has so far closed only one chapter successfully.

- Copyright © Famagusta Gazette 2008

[Viewpoint]

GC Cyprus should go for it, show big bad old Turkey whos boss.

[Paphitis]

GC Cyprus should go for it, show big bad old Turkey whos boss.

Don't worry about Cyprus. What is important is the fact that Cyprus has made it very clear that it may veto the opening of Turkey's EU Energy Chapter. Whether they do or not is another matter. But was is certain is the fact that Turkey's EU accession could be suspended in 2009, due to lack of progress on Cyprus as well as other reforms.

http://www.euractiv.com/en/enlargement/ ... cle-178116

Turkey should be very worried about this, because The United States of America, will not be pleased. We all know that Turkey has absolutely no choice about her EU ambitions. Strategic Interests are demanding that Turkey becomes a member of the EU, so that your unstable nation maintains her secularism and not turn towards Islamific Fundamentalism. The only way secularism can be maintained in Turkey in the long term, is by becoming an EU member. Your intransigence over Cyprus will not be tolerated for much longer, especially as there are much bigger strategic interests at stake, and the US will never allow you to undermine these interests by maintaining your current policies on Cyprus. Expect some major changes in the very near future. You guys are in for a rough ride. Good luck! Happy 2009!

[Nikitas]

"Turkey says Cyprus ships had violated its territorial waters". TERRITORIAL waters at a distance of 70 MILES from the Turkish coast! And then the Turks say the Greeks are selfish for wanting a 12 mile limit!

Now we are getting to the point where we will see how European the Turks want to become, and how true to their principles our EU partners are. EU rules mandate that all disputes be settled by legal means. Sending warships to threaten people is not "legal means". Let's see what they will say at this EU meeting.

[Jerry]

The problem the ROC faces is that if or when Turkey gives up its EU aspirations all leverage will be lost and relations between the two will get even worse. The Turkish State is the bullyboy of the region but it will never give in to what it considers to be bullying from Cyprus or the EU. Turkey will only respond to serious pressure or bribes from the USA, a few squadrons of F16s might do the trick.

[Paphitis]

The problem the ROC faces is that if or when Turkey gives up its EU aspirations all leverage will be lost and relations between the two will get even worse. The Turkish State is the bullyboy of the region but it will never give in to what it considers to be bullying from Cyprus or the EU. Turkey will only respond to serious pressure or bribes from the USA, a few squadrons of F16s might do the trick.

I don't think it is quite as simple as you suggest. Turkey cannot just give up its EU aspirations. My philosophy is that The US is so eager to have Turkey within The EU, so that it can rid itself of a major nuisance, and to also ensure that the Islamists don't get a grip on the country, which could jeopardise NATO and US Geopolitical Interests in the region.

The only way The US has been able to keep Turkey in check, is through The Kemalist Generals. This has also come at a very high cost. The only way this has been achieved in the past, is by assisting the Generals conduct Coups which have resulted in loss of life and mass human rights violations against civilians. This has become less feasible in this day and age, and now NATO and The US are faced with the enormous challenge of getting Turkey into the EU, which will also result in an abundance of investment and development within the country. This will also result in a more stable Turkey. But as I say, the major strategic interest is for Turkey maintaining her secular direction. The US certainly does not need another Islamic Republic to deal with, in what is considered a vitally important Strategic location.

I think The US is going to get more involved with Cyprus and Turey's EU accession.

[Jerry]

The problem the ROC faces is that if or when Turkey gives up its EU aspirations all leverage will be lost and relations between the two will get even worse. The Turkish State is the bullyboy of the region but it will never give in to what it considers to be bullying from Cyprus or the EU. Turkey will only respond to serious pressure or bribes from the USA, a few squadrons of F16s might do the trick.

I don't think it is quite as simple as you suggest. Turkey cannot just give up its EU aspirations. My philosophy is that The US is so eager to have Turkey within The EU, so that it can rid itself of a major nuisance, and to also ensure that the Islamists don't get a grip on the country, which could jeopardise NATO and US Geopolitical Interests in the region.

The only way The US has been able to keep Turkey in check, is through The Kemalist Generals. This has also come at a very high cost. The only way this has been achieved in the past, is by assisting the Generals conduct Coups which have resulted in loss of life and mass human rights violations against civilians. This has become less feasible in this day and age, and now NATO and The US are faced with the enormous challenge of getting Turkey into the EU, which will also result in an abundance of investment and development within the country. This will also result in a more stable Turkey. But as I say, the major strategic interest is for Turkey maintaining her secular direction. The US certainly does not need another Islamic Republic to deal with, in what is considered a vitally important Strategic location.

I think The US is going to get more involved with Cyprus and Turey's EU accession.

As you say its not so simple, the Kemalist Generals are the very ones who want to hang on to part of Cyprus. I'm not sure, given the current economic climate, how much the US or EU can afford to invest in Turkey.

[Paphitis]

The problem the ROC faces is that if or when Turkey gives up its EU aspirations all leverage will be lost and relations between the two will get even worse. The Turkish State is the bullyboy of the region but it will never give in to what it considers to be bullying from Cyprus or the EU. Turkey will only respond to serious pressure or bribes from the USA, a few squadrons of F16s might do the trick.

I don't think it is quite as simple as you suggest. Turkey cannot just give up its EU aspirations. My philosophy is that The US is so eager to have Turkey within The EU, so that it can rid itself of a major nuisance, and to also ensure that the Islamists don't get a grip on the country, which could jeopardise NATO and US Geopolitical Interests in the region.

The only way The US has been able to keep Turkey in check, is through The Kemalist Generals. This has also come at a very high cost. The only way this has been achieved in the past, is by assisting the Generals conduct Coups which have resulted in loss of life and mass human rights violations against civilians. This has become less feasible in this day and age, and now NATO and The US are faced with the enormous challenge of getting Turkey into the EU, which will also result in an abundance of investment and development within the country. This will also result in a more stable Turkey. But as I say, the major strategic interest is for Turkey maintaining her secular direction. The US certainly does not need another Islamic Republic to deal with, in what is considered a vitally important Strategic location.

I think The US is going to get more involved with Cyprus and Turey's EU accession.

As you say its not so simple, the Kemalist Generals are the very ones who want to hang on to part of Cyprus. I'm not sure, given the current economic climate, how much the US or EU can afford to invest in Turkey.

I agree that the intransigence seems to stem from the Kemalist Generals.

However, the Generals may not be able to get away with this indefinitely.

A lot of countries seen to be very interested about Turkey's EU progress, and I think this interest originates from Washington and then from London. Some forces seem to be at play here.

As far is investment and development is concerned, we all know that economics are fluid or cyclic. Economies are in decline today, but tomorrow things will be very different.