Cyprus-Forum.com

[Lit]

Sir, Your claim (“Engaging Turkey”, September 8 ) that “the EU members made a fundamental mistake in allowing that divided island [Cyprus] to join without a deal” flies in the face of historical fact. The European Union agreed in 1995 to begin accession negotiations with Cyprus. At the Helsinki summit in 1999, when Turkey was accepted as a candidate, the European Council stated: “If no settlement has been reached by the completion of accession negotiations, the council's decision on accession will be made without the above being a precondition.”

Your argument that there is little incentive for the Greek Cypriots to negotiate in good faith is similarly flawed. The Turkish invasion in 1974 resulted in the displacement of around 200,000 Greek Cypriots and the occupation of 37 per cent of the island. Furthermore, the presence of 43,000 Turkish soldiers constitutes a threat not only to the security of an EU member state but also to the stability of the region.

Carl Bildt, Sweden’s foreign minister, has termed the Cyprus peace talks “the most important political event in Europe during the next few months”, because without a solution to this conflict Turkey can abandon any prospect of EU membership.

Robert Ellis,
Birkerod, Denmark

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/bc55eb9c-9e69 ... abdc0.html

[EPSILON]

Engaging Turkey
Published in the Financial Times: September 8 2009 19:59

Turkey and Armenia, neighbours divided by bitter conflict for almost a century, are intent on early diplomatic recognition and reopening their long-closed border. That was the good news that slipped out last week. The plan still has to get mutual parliamentary approval. There is strong nationalist opposition on both sides. But the Swiss-mediated negotiations have made much better progress than was expected.

Ankara’s announcement last week of new measures to ease cultural restrictions on the restive Kurdish minority was also good news. They stop short of constitutional amendments or an amnesty for former militants, but they are a step in the right direction.

Both actions should encourage faster progress in the languishing negotiations on Turkey’s membership application to join the European Union. Yet those talks are caught in a vicious cycle of mutual disenchantment, as spelt out this week in a disturbing report by the Independent Commission on Turkey, a group of eminent Europeans chaired by Martti Ahtisaari, former president of Finland.

They argue that EU credibility is at stake because Turkey is not being treated as a normal accession candidate. In spite of a unanimous decision five years ago to open the talks, France, Germany and Austria are all now backing an alternative “privileged partnership” that stops well short of full membership. France is blocking negotiations on several issues. So is Cyprus. Such behaviour is dangerously counter-productive.

Failure to reach agreement on the reunification of Cyprus has poisoned the process. The EU members made a fundamental mistake in allowing that divided island to join without a deal. Now there is little incentive for the Greek Cypriots, already enjoying the full benefits of membership, to negotiate one in good faith.

As Europe hesitates, Turkey also drags its feet. There is little political incentive in backing EU membership in Ankara. Young Turks are increasingly sceptical. There are worrying signs of anti-democratic behaviour, too, such as the government’s latest imposition of massive fines on the Dogan media group, the country’s largest.

Both the EU and Turkey should urgently refocus attention both on the Cyprus talks and the wider accession negotiations. To allow them to fail by default would be a tragedy. It would also sour relations between the EU and a vital partner whose engagement is essential for Europe’s future security, prosperity and dynamism.

Are we to let the FT get away with this unadulterated drivel? Surely the free Cypriots need the ‘incentive’ of a reunified homeland on a basis consistent with the European rights and freedoms - just like all other free Europeans.

Not a legitimised apartheid arrangement enshrining racist separation, abandonment of birthrights and continued interference by foreign military aggressors.

Now do you see the devastating harm caused by allowing the world to perceive the free citizens of the Republic of Cyprus as petty-minded ‘Greek’ Cypriots?

I'm hopeful this article will prove extremely costly to the FT - in financial terms - the only terms these bastards understand.

As i said many times here many people outside there considering us as ,at least equal, responsibles for the present status in Cyprus- FT above is considering us as the "only responsible"

This is the result when you have an embassy in Germany or France staffed with the ambassador and his wife and Turkey has 45 employees plus employment of thousands of Turkish students and others, promoting its position.
Considering the resent years indifference (maby by ROC's request) of the Greek political system about Cyprus things going worst and worst.

G/cs focusing on the endless negotiations with Tallat and Turkey is building its own solution in the international community.

[YFred]

Engaging Turkey
Published in the Financial Times: September 8 2009 19:59

Turkey and Armenia, neighbours divided by bitter conflict for almost a century, are intent on early diplomatic recognition and reopening their long-closed border. That was the good news that slipped out last week. The plan still has to get mutual parliamentary approval. There is strong nationalist opposition on both sides. But the Swiss-mediated negotiations have made much better progress than was expected.

Ankara’s announcement last week of new measures to ease cultural restrictions on the restive Kurdish minority was also good news. They stop short of constitutional amendments or an amnesty for former militants, but they are a step in the right direction.

Both actions should encourage faster progress in the languishing negotiations on Turkey’s membership application to join the European Union. Yet those talks are caught in a vicious cycle of mutual disenchantment, as spelt out this week in a disturbing report by the Independent Commission on Turkey, a group of eminent Europeans chaired by Martti Ahtisaari, former president of Finland.

They argue that EU credibility is at stake because Turkey is not being treated as a normal accession candidate. In spite of a unanimous decision five years ago to open the talks, France, Germany and Austria are all now backing an alternative “privileged partnership” that stops well short of full membership. France is blocking negotiations on several issues. So is Cyprus. Such behaviour is dangerously counter-productive.

Failure to reach agreement on the reunification of Cyprus has poisoned the process. The EU members made a fundamental mistake in allowing that divided island to join without a deal. Now there is little incentive for the Greek Cypriots, already enjoying the full benefits of membership, to negotiate one in good faith.

As Europe hesitates, Turkey also drags its feet. There is little political incentive in backing EU membership in Ankara. Young Turks are increasingly sceptical. There are worrying signs of anti-democratic behaviour, too, such as the government’s latest imposition of massive fines on the Dogan media group, the country’s largest.

Both the EU and Turkey should urgently refocus attention both on the Cyprus talks and the wider accession negotiations. To allow them to fail by default would be a tragedy. It would also sour relations between the EU and a vital partner whose engagement is essential for Europe’s future security, prosperity and dynamism.

Are we to let the FT get away with this unadulterated drivel? Surely the free Cypriots need the ‘incentive’ of a reunified homeland on a basis consistent with the European rights and freedoms - just like all other free Europeans.

Not a legitimised apartheid arrangement enshrining racist separation, abandonment of birthrights and continued interference by foreign military aggressors.

Now do you see the devastating harm caused by allowing the world to perceive the free citizens of the Republic of Cyprus as petty-minded ‘Greek’ Cypriots?

I'm hopeful this article will prove extremely costly to the FT - in financial terms - the only terms these bastards understand.

As i said many times here many people outside there considering us as ,at least equal, responsibles for the present status in Cyprus- FT above is considering us as the "only responsible"

This is the result when you have an embassy in Germany or France staffed with the ambassador and his wife and Turkey has 45 employees plus employment of thousands of Turkish students and others, promoting its position.
Considering the resent years indifference (maby by ROC's request) of the Greek political system about Cyprus things going worst and worst.

G/cs focusing on the endless negotiations with Tallat and Turkey is building its own solution in the international community.

Epsilon, it is not just a PR exercise. There are some facts that just jump up an hit you. Isn't it the preoccupation of most GCs to use the EU to extract more from Turkey?
Facts speak for themselves.

[EPSILON]

Engaging Turkey
Published in the Financial Times: September 8 2009 19:59

Turkey and Armenia, neighbours divided by bitter conflict for almost a century, are intent on early diplomatic recognition and reopening their long-closed border. That was the good news that slipped out last week. The plan still has to get mutual parliamentary approval. There is strong nationalist opposition on both sides. But the Swiss-mediated negotiations have made much better progress than was expected.

Ankara’s announcement last week of new measures to ease cultural restrictions on the restive Kurdish minority was also good news. They stop short of constitutional amendments or an amnesty for former militants, but they are a step in the right direction.

Both actions should encourage faster progress in the languishing negotiations on Turkey’s membership application to join the European Union. Yet those talks are caught in a vicious cycle of mutual disenchantment, as spelt out this week in a disturbing report by the Independent Commission on Turkey, a group of eminent Europeans chaired by Martti Ahtisaari, former president of Finland.

They argue that EU credibility is at stake because Turkey is not being treated as a normal accession candidate. In spite of a unanimous decision five years ago to open the talks, France, Germany and Austria are all now backing an alternative “privileged partnership” that stops well short of full membership. France is blocking negotiations on several issues. So is Cyprus. Such behaviour is dangerously counter-productive.

Failure to reach agreement on the reunification of Cyprus has poisoned the process. The EU members made a fundamental mistake in allowing that divided island to join without a deal. Now there is little incentive for the Greek Cypriots, already enjoying the full benefits of membership, to negotiate one in good faith.

As Europe hesitates, Turkey also drags its feet. There is little political incentive in backing EU membership in Ankara. Young Turks are increasingly sceptical. There are worrying signs of anti-democratic behaviour, too, such as the government’s latest imposition of massive fines on the Dogan media group, the country’s largest.

Both the EU and Turkey should urgently refocus attention both on the Cyprus talks and the wider accession negotiations. To allow them to fail by default would be a tragedy. It would also sour relations between the EU and a vital partner whose engagement is essential for Europe’s future security, prosperity and dynamism.

Are we to let the FT get away with this unadulterated drivel? Surely the free Cypriots need the ‘incentive’ of a reunified homeland on a basis consistent with the European rights and freedoms - just like all other free Europeans.

Not a legitimised apartheid arrangement enshrining racist separation, abandonment of birthrights and continued interference by foreign military aggressors.

Now do you see the devastating harm caused by allowing the world to perceive the free citizens of the Republic of Cyprus as petty-minded ‘Greek’ Cypriots?

I'm hopeful this article will prove extremely costly to the FT - in financial terms - the only terms these bastards understand.

As i said many times here many people outside there considering us as ,at least equal, responsibles for the present status in Cyprus- FT above is considering us as the "only responsible"

This is the result when you have an embassy in Germany or France staffed with the ambassador and his wife and Turkey has 45 employees plus employment of thousands of Turkish students and others, promoting its position.
Considering the resent years indifference (maby by ROC's request) of the Greek political system about Cyprus things going worst and worst.

G/cs focusing on the endless negotiations with Tallat and Turkey is building its own solution in the international community.

Epsilon, it is not just a PR exercise. There are some facts that just jump up an hit you. Isn't it the preoccupation of most GCs to use the EU to extract more from Turkey?
Facts speak for themselves.

I fully dissagree with you. Even Cyprus was invated and occupied Turkey ,by a good foreign policy it could present itselve as the victim.
Case is simple - Greek politicians must change political studies universities and re study from the begining how the World is operating ourdays.

[barouti]

The EU members made a fundamental mistake in allowing that divided island to join without a deal. Now there is little incentive for the Greek Cypriots, already enjoying the full benefits of membership, to negotiate one in good faith.

What a stupid article...what is even more stupider was this part highlighted in red.

The EU knew exactly what it was doing when it allowed Cyprus in. Sure, it was a diplomatic victory for both Greece and Cyprus. But for a Union that doesn't really want Turkey in anyway, it would be yet another stumbling block for its own EU aspirations. Sooo, if Turkey wants in the EU it will need to compromise heavily on the Cyprus issue, which the Greeks are hoping for. If it refuses then ciao-ciao to the EU, which many in the club are hoping anyway. Either way, the Turks just cannot win.

btw RoC was already a prosperous European nation when admitted. The ones who are really enjoying the full benefits are the TC's who travelled into the free zone and got Cypriot citizenship.

[The Cypriot]

Epsilon, it is not just a PR exercise. There are some facts that just jump up an hit you. Isn't it the preoccupation of most GCs to use the EU to extract more from Turkey?
Facts speak for themselves.

It is - or should be - the preoccupation of all Cypriots to extract Turkey from the island, using the EU or any other lawful mechanisms at our disposal.

[YFred]

Epsilon, it is not just a PR exercise. There are some facts that just jump up an hit you. Isn't it the preoccupation of most GCs to use the EU to extract more from Turkey?
Facts speak for themselves.

It is - or should be - the preoccupation of all Cypriots to extract Turkey from the island, using the EU or any other lawful mechanisms at our disposal.

That is precisely what I am talking about. When its concerning TCs and Turkey, intervention of outsiders is encouraged and when its regarding GCs its called outsiders interfering. Its double standards reh Gibreo. If the peace agreement is signed tomorrow, the TA would begin leaving the day after. I think there is a film title in that.

[YFred]

The EU members made a fundamental mistake in allowing that divided island to join without a deal. Now there is little incentive for the Greek Cypriots, already enjoying the full benefits of membership, to negotiate one in good faith.

What a stupid article...what is even more stupider was this part highlighted in red.

The EU knew exactly what it was doing when it allowed Cyprus in. Sure, it was a diplomatic victory for both Greece and Cyprus. But for a Union that doesn't really want Turkey in anyway, it would be yet another stumbling block for its own EU aspirations. Sooo, if Turkey wants in the EU it will need to compromise heavily on the Cyprus issue, which the Greeks are hoping for. If it refuses then ciao-ciao to the EU, which many in the club are hoping anyway. Either way, the Turks just cannot win.

btw RoC was already a prosperous European nation when admitted. The ones who are really enjoying the full benefits are the TC's who travelled into the free zone and got Cypriot citizenship.

Perhaps TPapa didn't tell them he would object to the agreement he negotiated? I wonder what they would have done if he made his intentions known before hand?

[The Cypriot]

It is - or should be - the preoccupation of all Cypriots to extract Turkey from the island, using the EU or any other lawful mechanisms at our disposal.

That is precisely what I am talking about. When its concerning TCs and Turkey, intervention of outsiders is encouraged and when its regarding GCs its called outsiders interfering. Its double standards reh Gibreo. If the peace agreement is signed tomorrow, the TA would begin leaving the day after. I think there is a film title in that.

You could turn it around and say, if Turkey's army left tomorrow, there would be a proper peace agreement the day after.

And it's not double standards. Turkey's role in Cyprus is against international law. The EU's role isn't.

I need not remind you that Turkey did not do what it was meant to do in 1974 - according to the treaty of guarantee it signed. Instead, it threw out all the Christians, parked its army in the north and established new 'realities' at the expense of all Cypriots ever since.

[Viewpoint]

It is - or should be - the preoccupation of all Cypriots to extract Turkey from the island, using the EU or any other lawful mechanisms at our disposal.

That is precisely what I am talking about. When its concerning TCs and Turkey, intervention of outsiders is encouraged and when its regarding GCs its called outsiders interfering. Its double standards reh Gibreo. If the peace agreement is signed tomorrow, the TA would begin leaving the day after. I think there is a film title in that.

You could turn it around and say, if Turkey's army left tomorrow, there would be a proper peace agreement the day after.

And it's not double standards. Turkey's role in Cyprus is against international law. The EU's role isn't.

I need not remind you that Turkey did not do what it was meant to do in 1974 - according to the treaty of guarantee it signed. Instead, it threw out all the Christians, parked its army in the north and established new 'realities' at the expense of all Cypriots ever since.

Take of your life jacket so we can make sure you drown, we have the means.