Cyprus-Forum.com

[YFred]

Turkey has just hardened it stand against EU and RoC. What interesting times the next six months will be? There is a definite pattern here. Turkey is shifting to harder line on the Cyprus issue. It looks like GCs have missed the boat one last time.

EU warns Turkey in leaked progress report
By Charles Charalambous

THE EU will officially warn Turkey that it has failed to fulfil its obligation to open its ports and airports to Greek Cypriot ships and aircraft, it emerged yesterday.

The warning is contained in the European Commission’s (EC) draft report on Turkey’s accession progress, a copy of which was obtained by Bayrak TV in the north of Cyprus. Bayrak TV featured the report in a broadcast on Wednesday, and it received wide coverage in the Turkish press the following day.

The report, which is due to be published officially on 14 October, refers to the autumn deadline set for Turkey to comply with this obligation as part of its EU candidacy process. Turkey’s continued non-compliance with this and other obligations resulted in eight of the 35 chapters (policy areas) of its accession negotiation being suspended in December 2006.

According to Turkish English-language newspaper Today’s Zaman, “the draft report states that negotiations between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots are continuing, and that no other chapters are planned to be suspended unless there is a demand from member states.”

On Thursday, Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Egemen Bagis – who is also his country’s chief EU negotiator – reiterated his government’s position that Turkey had no intention of opening its ports and airports to Cypriot-flagged ships and aircraft until the EU establishes direct trade with the Turkish Cypriots.

“There are certain expectations that we will reopen our ports, but there are guarantees Turkey must receive to meet these expectations that have to do with ending the isolation imposed on Turkish Cyprus,” Bagis said.

He added: “Until EU countries begin direct trade with Turkish Cyprus and land their planes at Ercan airport, I don't find it sincere or believable that Greek Cypriot planes and ships can use our airports and harbours.”

Government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said yesterday that Turkey’s obligation to open its ports and airports to Cypriot ships and aircraft is not conditional on any other commitment towards Turkey either by the European Union or Cyprus.

He added that the attempt by Bagis to link the lifting of the port embargo with the EU lifting the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots “is outside the letter and the spirit of Ankara’s commitments to the EU and its member states, including Cyprus.”

The Foreign Ministry had no comment to offer on the leak of the EC report, other than to say that they “await the publication of the report in October”.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009

[bill cobbett]

Turkey has just hardened it stand against EU and RoC. What interesting times the next six months will be? There is a definite pattern here. Turkey is shifting to harder line on the Cyprus issue. It looks like GCs have missed the boat one last time.

EU warns Turkey in leaked progress report
By Charles Charalambous

THE EU will officially warn Turkey that it has failed to fulfil its obligation to open its ports and airports to Greek Cypriot ships and aircraft, it emerged yesterday.

The warning is contained in the European Commission’s (EC) draft report on Turkey’s accession progress, a copy of which was obtained by Bayrak TV in the north of Cyprus. Bayrak TV featured the report in a broadcast on Wednesday, and it received wide coverage in the Turkish press the following day.

The report, which is due to be published officially on 14 October, refers to the autumn deadline set for Turkey to comply with this obligation as part of its EU candidacy process. Turkey’s continued non-compliance with this and other obligations resulted in eight of the 35 chapters (policy areas) of its accession negotiation being suspended in December 2006.

According to Turkish English-language newspaper Today’s Zaman, “the draft report states that negotiations between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots are continuing, and that no other chapters are planned to be suspended unless there is a demand from member states.”

On Thursday, Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Egemen Bagis – who is also his country’s chief EU negotiator – reiterated his government’s position that Turkey had no intention of opening its ports and airports to Cypriot-flagged ships and aircraft until the EU establishes direct trade with the Turkish Cypriots.

“There are certain expectations that we will reopen our ports, but there are guarantees Turkey must receive to meet these expectations that have to do with ending the isolation imposed on Turkish Cyprus,” Bagis said.

He added: “Until EU countries begin direct trade with Turkish Cyprus and land their planes at Ercan airport, I don't find it sincere or believable that Greek Cypriot planes and ships can use our airports and harbours.”

Government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said yesterday that Turkey’s obligation to open its ports and airports to Cypriot ships and aircraft is not conditional on any other commitment towards Turkey either by the European Union or Cyprus.

He added that the attempt by Bagis to link the lifting of the port embargo with the EU lifting the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots “is outside the letter and the spirit of Ankara’s commitments to the EU and its member states, including Cyprus.”

The Foreign Ministry had no comment to offer on the leak of the EC report, other than to say that they “await the publication of the report in October”.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009

Turkey shifting to a harder stance on CY? What a load of pollocks!

How much harder than the 1974 Invasion, the Deaths of thousands and the Ethnic Cleansing of hundreds of thousands.

Harder stance? Pollocks (again)

[YFred]

Turkey has just hardened it stand against EU and RoC. What interesting times the next six months will be? There is a definite pattern here. Turkey is shifting to harder line on the Cyprus issue. It looks like GCs have missed the boat one last time.

EU warns Turkey in leaked progress report
By Charles Charalambous

THE EU will officially warn Turkey that it has failed to fulfil its obligation to open its ports and airports to Greek Cypriot ships and aircraft, it emerged yesterday.

The warning is contained in the European Commission’s (EC) draft report on Turkey’s accession progress, a copy of which was obtained by Bayrak TV in the north of Cyprus. Bayrak TV featured the report in a broadcast on Wednesday, and it received wide coverage in the Turkish press the following day.

The report, which is due to be published officially on 14 October, refers to the autumn deadline set for Turkey to comply with this obligation as part of its EU candidacy process. Turkey’s continued non-compliance with this and other obligations resulted in eight of the 35 chapters (policy areas) of its accession negotiation being suspended in December 2006.

According to Turkish English-language newspaper Today’s Zaman, “the draft report states that negotiations between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots are continuing, and that no other chapters are planned to be suspended unless there is a demand from member states.”

On Thursday, Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Egemen Bagis – who is also his country’s chief EU negotiator – reiterated his government’s position that Turkey had no intention of opening its ports and airports to Cypriot-flagged ships and aircraft until the EU establishes direct trade with the Turkish Cypriots.

“There are certain expectations that we will reopen our ports, but there are guarantees Turkey must receive to meet these expectations that have to do with ending the isolation imposed on Turkish Cyprus,” Bagis said.

He added: “Until EU countries begin direct trade with Turkish Cyprus and land their planes at Ercan airport, I don't find it sincere or believable that Greek Cypriot planes and ships can use our airports and harbours.”

Government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said yesterday that Turkey’s obligation to open its ports and airports to Cypriot ships and aircraft is not conditional on any other commitment towards Turkey either by the European Union or Cyprus.

He added that the attempt by Bagis to link the lifting of the port embargo with the EU lifting the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots “is outside the letter and the spirit of Ankara’s commitments to the EU and its member states, including Cyprus.”

The Foreign Ministry had no comment to offer on the leak of the EC report, other than to say that they “await the publication of the report in October”.
Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2009

Turkey shifting to a harder stance on CY? What a load of pollocks!

How much harder than the 1974 Invasion, the Deaths of thousands and the Ethnic Cleansing of hundreds of thousands.

Harder stance? Pollocks (again)

Compared to recent history you silly sod. Wake up.

[The Cypriot]

Turkey has just hardened it stand against EU and RoC. What interesting times the next six months will be? There is a definite pattern here. Turkey is shifting to harder line on the Cyprus issue. It looks like GCs have missed the boat one last time.

What boat have free Cypriots missed? The not-very-well-disguised partition boat? The boat that legitimises Turkey's presence in the north and continued interference over the whole island? The rust bucket can sail away into a storm and sink with you on board if that's how you feel.

And as for Turkey hardening its stand on the EU – that's like a seriously ill cancer patient hardening his stand against a hospital that has instructed he give up smoking before treatment can be administered.

Interesting times indeed for the next six months... let's see whether the patient's condition isn't terminal by them.

[The Cypriot]

to recent history you silly sod. Wake up.

What do you want free Cypriots to do, exactly, Freddie? Give in to a bully's threats. The bully can go to hell - and take his apologist messengers with him!

See you in court.

[Viewpoint]

You GCs are so deluded do you honestly think that Turkey moving further away from the EU will benefit your goals. how so

[Simon]

How has Turkey hardened its stance? What is written here is no different to what Turkey has always said.

[eleni]

I don't get this "Isolation imposed on TC's " this isolation was caused by Turkey's invasion (under the pretense of Guarantor-ship) and continues to be so.

This has nothing to do with helping TC's and everything to do with keeping something taken by brute force.

Why can't GC's live in their own property? work their own land? and they talk of Isolation!!!!

[The Cypriot]

You GCs are so deluded do you honestly think that Turkey moving further away from the EU will benefit your goals. how so

Deluded? Cypriot citizens' – of whatever ethnic background – goals are to enjoy freedom, security and prosperity inside the EU, without threats or interference from a local bully.

[The Cypriot]

How has Turkey hardened its stance? What is written here is no different to what Turkey has always said.

It's just hollow threats, your Beatitude. Pay them no heed and get on with the legal case.