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DISY warns of dangers if Turkey knocked off European path
By Stefanos Evripidou


DISY leader Nicos Anastassiades yesterday warned that time was of the essence for a solution to the Cyprus problem, especially following the French rejection of the EU Constitution and the uncertainty surrounding Turkey’s EU accession path.

The French ‘non’ in Sunday’s vote, today’s referendum in the Netherlands and the likelihood of a change of government in Germany were all factors that needed serious examination by the governments of Cyprus and Greece in relation to the prospects of Turkey’s EU accession and subsequent efforts for a Cyprus solution, said Anastassiades.

The right-wing party leader said the consequences of each would have to be examined to see in which scenarios Turkey would feel the need to make concessions that would allow an agreed solution.

“We must take time into account. Every day we are seeing negative faits accomplis. If we believe that through Turkey’s European path we can use our little veto to shape policy, then let’s calculate how it is possible to exercise pressure to get the desired changes if Turkey doesn’t have this European prospect,” he said.

When discussing the French rejection, Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides offered food for thought on Monday, pondering what would have happened had the Greek Cypriots had accepted the Annan plan with a Turkey that was unlikely to join the EU.

Asked to comment, Anastassiades said: “With the same logic, I say to those who seem to be professors of politics, let’s not solve the Cyprus problem then if Turkey has no European prospects or let’s not move on the issue because Turkey is not likely to accede to the EU. I don’t think that is logic.”

The DISY leader went on to criticise the government’s actions, or lack of, in the latter half of 2004, up to December 17, when a date for accession negotiations with Turkey was agreed by EU leaders.

“We had control of Turkey’s passport. How did we take advantage of that period to secure a solution when we had the weapon to exercise pressure? What was the strategic goal? It is time to realise that having a monopoly on witticism does not result in a policy that leads to a solution,” said Anastassiades.

He acknowledged that Turkey’s “arrogance” during the EU summit last December created fear and concern among Europeans which could have contributed to the French ‘no’. However, the essence remains: “How much is upsetting Turkey’s EU accession path in the interests of Cyprus and Greece?”

Anastassiades noted that a solution could still be achieved if we took advantage of time and realised that a lot depended not just on the other side but on the Greek Cypriot side too.

“As time goes by, faits accomplis on the ground are taking root and there will be such changes on the ground that it will be very difficult to achieve what we promise to be a better European solution, whether that involves properties, settlers or more general matters which we consider today to be passing phenomena,” he said.




As many have always said and i agree with them time has now become our biggest enemy ever