by zan » Sat Nov 28, 2009 9:36 pm
Get Real! wrote:paaul12 wrote:One thing is for sure, Cyprus will be working VERY hard to make sure there is NO SOLUTION!
Good riddens to all undemocratic political arrangements and press on with the military buildup and court litigations!
You driving a tank with a logo on the side of a solicitors office??? 
by paaul12 » Sun Nov 29, 2009 3:38 pm
Cyprus will accept whatever the big players decide
AFTER all the tough talk and the breast beating, the government is now urging “calm and patience” over a draft European Council report that makes no mention of possible sanctions against Turkey’s EU accession process, despite its failure to normalise relations with the Republic of Cyprus.
On Thursday, politicians had queued up to lament the European Parliament’s decision to approve the Council’s draft report, despite the vain efforts of Cypriot MEPs to include an amendment threatening sanctions in case of Turkey’s failure to comply with obligations to recognise the Republic and open its ports and airports to Cypriot traffic.
The government is now trying to play down expectations ahead of next month’s European Council that will assess Turkey’s progress. While hinting that there is still time to have the document changed before its final adoption, its commitment to consult with Greece and other European partners is clear indication that nothing in reality will change.
The truth is that this game has become as tiresome as it is familiar, playing itself out before every key stage in Turkey’s accession talks, following an utterly predictable pattern. In the build-up to the date, we are subjected to a frenzy of bluster, finger-waving assertions of uncompromising ‘principle’, and exhortations to our European partners to ‘stand up to their obligations’. Our European partners invariably let us down, sparking a round of righteous self-pity, before the government of the day limply acquiesces to the very statement or report allowing Turkey to continue on its way.
What is so depressing is that this pantomime shows a shocking lack of understanding of the realities at play – an ostrich syndrome deeply disturbing given our leaders’ stated commitment to work for a solution – exposing us to our European partners as B-grade amateurs who cannot be taken seriously.
The thinking behind this so-called policy is the late Tassos Papadopoulos’ vision of a ‘European solution’, in which the threat of Cyprus’ veto could be used as lever to extract a solution tailor-made to Greek Cypriot desires from a Turkey desperate to join the European Union. The reality is that even the tough talking Papadopoulos failed miserably in every attempt, making the current government’s posturing all the more ridiculous.
Worse still, the balance of the game has changed. Big players in the European game, led by France, are now openly opposed to Turkey ever joining the European Union, reducing whatever little leverage Cyprus ever had to nil. With Ankara under little illusion about the final outcome of the game, there is no way it feels the slightest pressure to compromise its stand on Cyprus.
At the same time, both Europe and Turkey feel it is in their mutual interest to keep the process of accession talks on track, irrespective of their final destination. While national politicians may not ultimately want Turkey in the European Union, there is no desire to upset a key strategic ally, whose stability in such a volatile region is of vital importance to the EU. In the real world, what do our politicians think will come first: Cyprus’ anger at Turkish bullying over its offshore gas exploration, or the EU’s desire to complete the Nabucco pipeline through Turkey, bypassing Russia to give Europe access to Caspian energy reserves?
Ultimately, we have to ask ourselves what this says about the government’s commitment to a solution, at a time when we should be in the final straight of negotiations that must conclude before the spring. If the government was serious about reunification, this should be a time when we were playing down the rhetoric, focusing on the positive, preparing public opinion ahead of a possible referendum that could be little more than two or three months away. Instead of which, President Demetris Christofias was last week writing to his European counterparts a letter berating Turkey – and his Turkish Cypriot interlocutor at the talks – in terms that suggest he is neither close to, nor has the desire for a solution.
In that letter, the President expressed his “conviction that we should review our position, in consultation with partners, towards Turkish accession negotiations in the December European Council, and to take specific measures unless there are visible signs of a changed attitude on the part of Turkey in the meantime.”
But why does he expect the EU to impose sanctions? If things are so bad and Turkey acting in such ill faith, what is the government doing at such an advanced stage of negotiations with the Turkish Cypriots. Surely Cyprus should lead the way in imposing sanctions by walking out of talks to which “Turkey has only paid lip-service so far”. Of course, what it wants is for Europe to wave the stick, forcing Turkey to walk out and putting Cyprus back in its comfort zone of honest victim betrayed by Turkish intransigence. It won’t happen, Cyprus will put its tail between its legs and accept whatever the big players decide in December. But it’s a charade that gives little confidence in our leaders’ ability to guide this country to a better future.
by Viewpoint » Sun Nov 29, 2009 6:13 pm
paaul12 wrote:We have good days and bad days, today is a good day, because at last the people who make the decisions, and that is not “little Cyprus” but the real decision makers are waking up to the antics of Cyprus and realising who the people are that they need to keep “sweet” TurkeyCyprus will accept whatever the big players decide
AFTER all the tough talk and the breast beating, the government is now urging “calm and patience” over a draft European Council report that makes no mention of possible sanctions against Turkey’s EU accession process, despite its failure to normalise relations with the Republic of Cyprus.
On Thursday, politicians had queued up to lament the European Parliament’s decision to approve the Council’s draft report, despite the vain efforts of Cypriot MEPs to include an amendment threatening sanctions in case of Turkey’s failure to comply with obligations to recognise the Republic and open its ports and airports to Cypriot traffic.
The government is now trying to play down expectations ahead of next month’s European Council that will assess Turkey’s progress. While hinting that there is still time to have the document changed before its final adoption, its commitment to consult with Greece and other European partners is clear indication that nothing in reality will change.
The truth is that this game has become as tiresome as it is familiar, playing itself out before every key stage in Turkey’s accession talks, following an utterly predictable pattern. In the build-up to the date, we are subjected to a frenzy of bluster, finger-waving assertions of uncompromising ‘principle’, and exhortations to our European partners to ‘stand up to their obligations’. Our European partners invariably let us down, sparking a round of righteous self-pity, before the government of the day limply acquiesces to the very statement or report allowing Turkey to continue on its way.
What is so depressing is that this pantomime shows a shocking lack of understanding of the realities at play – an ostrich syndrome deeply disturbing given our leaders’ stated commitment to work for a solution – exposing us to our European partners as B-grade amateurs who cannot be taken seriously.
The thinking behind this so-called policy is the late Tassos Papadopoulos’ vision of a ‘European solution’, in which the threat of Cyprus’ veto could be used as lever to extract a solution tailor-made to Greek Cypriot desires from a Turkey desperate to join the European Union. The reality is that even the tough talking Papadopoulos failed miserably in every attempt, making the current government’s posturing all the more ridiculous.
Worse still, the balance of the game has changed. Big players in the European game, led by France, are now openly opposed to Turkey ever joining the European Union, reducing whatever little leverage Cyprus ever had to nil. With Ankara under little illusion about the final outcome of the game, there is no way it feels the slightest pressure to compromise its stand on Cyprus.
At the same time, both Europe and Turkey feel it is in their mutual interest to keep the process of accession talks on track, irrespective of their final destination. While national politicians may not ultimately want Turkey in the European Union, there is no desire to upset a key strategic ally, whose stability in such a volatile region is of vital importance to the EU. In the real world, what do our politicians think will come first: Cyprus’ anger at Turkish bullying over its offshore gas exploration, or the EU’s desire to complete the Nabucco pipeline through Turkey, bypassing Russia to give Europe access to Caspian energy reserves?
Ultimately, we have to ask ourselves what this says about the government’s commitment to a solution, at a time when we should be in the final straight of negotiations that must conclude before the spring. If the government was serious about reunification, this should be a time when we were playing down the rhetoric, focusing on the positive, preparing public opinion ahead of a possible referendum that could be little more than two or three months away. Instead of which, President Demetris Christofias was last week writing to his European counterparts a letter berating Turkey – and his Turkish Cypriot interlocutor at the talks – in terms that suggest he is neither close to, nor has the desire for a solution.
In that letter, the President expressed his “conviction that we should review our position, in consultation with partners, towards Turkish accession negotiations in the December European Council, and to take specific measures unless there are visible signs of a changed attitude on the part of Turkey in the meantime.”
But why does he expect the EU to impose sanctions? If things are so bad and Turkey acting in such ill faith, what is the government doing at such an advanced stage of negotiations with the Turkish Cypriots. Surely Cyprus should lead the way in imposing sanctions by walking out of talks to which “Turkey has only paid lip-service so far”. Of course, what it wants is for Europe to wave the stick, forcing Turkey to walk out and putting Cyprus back in its comfort zone of honest victim betrayed by Turkish intransigence. It won’t happen, Cyprus will put its tail between its legs and accept whatever the big players decide in December. But it’s a charade that gives little confidence in our leaders’ ability to guide this country to a better future.
Source: http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.ph ... 0&cat_id=1
have a nice day
by paaul12 » Tue Dec 08, 2009 7:02 pm
EU poised to ignore failure to act
MOST European Union countries are unwilling to impose further sanctions on Turkey for failing to meet its obligations towards Cyprus, reports said yesterday.
EU foreign ministers met yesterday to discuss, among other issues, Turkey’s draft progress report.
Cyprus has tried to convince its EU partners to impose sanctions on Turkey for its failure to open its ports and airports to Cypriot traffic, but by the time the Cyprus Mail went to print, reports from Brussels said most countries were unwilling to do so.
According to the draft, EU leaders will just voice regret over Turkey’s lack of action.
The EU has already frozen eight out of Turkey’s 35 negotiating chapters that candidates must complete before joining the bloc.
“It is well known that the Republic of Cyprus is not satisfied with the conclusions,” said Foreign Minister Marcos Kyprianou before his departure for Brussels on Sunday. “Our positions are clear, our red lines are clear, and it is up to the (EU) presidency whether it will move towards consensus or if it will seek conflict.”
Kyprianou said the conclusions ought to reflect the real picture regarding Turkey’s accession course and not beautify the situation.
Cyprus has long warned that Turkey would face repercussions for failing to meet its obligations.
But as the Thursday Summit approaches, the EU appears unwilling to put Turkey in the corner.
The majority of member-states have made it clear they do not wish to threaten the delicate balance needed to keep Turkish political and public opinion in favour of continued reform.
The EU leaders, when they meet Thursday and Friday, are expected to welcome the progress made by Ankara in other important areas, including the judiciary, civil-military relations and cultural rights, reports said.
Turkey has opened 11 of its 35 chapters so far as the process has also been hindered by big EU members such as France and Germany who believed that the populous Muslim country should be given a special status and not full EU membership.
by Hermes » Tue Dec 08, 2009 7:35 pm
paaul12 wrote:We have good days and bad days, today is a good day, because at last the people who make the decisions, and that is not “little Cyprus” but the real decision makers are waking up to the antics of Cyprus and realising who the people are that they need to keep “sweet” Turkey
by Malapapa » Tue Dec 08, 2009 8:35 pm
by Expatkiwi » Tue Dec 08, 2009 8:42 pm
Malapapa wrote:Stick this in your fcuking hookah and smoke it paaaaaul12....
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e62670a6-e421 ... ab49a.html
Cyprus adds obstacles to Turkey EU accession
Published: December 8 2009 18:00
The Greek Cypriot-led government of Cyprus on Tuesday placed new obstacles in the way of Turkey’s efforts to join the European Union, declaring that it would not permit the start of accession talks in five policy areas unless Turkey changed its stance on the Cyprus dispute.
Although no other EU country supported them, the Greek Cypriots exercised their right under EU rules to announce that they would block talks over free movement of workers; the judiciary and fundamental rights; justice, freedom and security; education and culture; and foreign, security and defence policy.
Markos Kyprianou, foreign minister of Cyprus, described the measures as a “targeted response, not a complete freeze” to Turkey’s membership talks.
However, Turkey warned last week that its accession process could suffer irreparable damage if EU leaders introduced fresh sanctions in retaliation for Ankara’s refusal to open Turkish ports and airports to Greek Cypriot traffic.
After a two-day meeting that ended on Tuesday, EU foreign ministers decided against such sanctions after a majority concluded that discussions on a settlement among Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders were at a delicate stage .
The foreign ministers said they would maintain a freeze on negotiations in eight of the 35 policy areas that Turkey, an official candidate for EU membership since 2004, must complete before it can join the bloc.
Cyprus’s announcement went further, because the policy areas it listed are in addition to the eight where all EU countries agree talks should not proceed.
Turkey opened EU accession talks in 2005 in return for a promise to permit direct transport links with the Greek Cypriots. Turkey has refused to honour the accord, saying the EU has failed to fulfil its commitment to end the isolation of Turkish Cypriot-controlled northern Cyprus.
Suat Kiniklioglu, deputy chair of foreign relations of Turkey’s ruling AK party, said that if Cypriot threats were true, it would indicate “that the Greek Cypriot government’s position is continuing to poison Turkey’s relations with the European Union”.
EU governments are anxious to see progress in a new round of United Nations-sponsored talks on a Cyprus settlement that started in September 2008. With presidential elections in northern Cyprus scheduled for April and a nationalist candidate tipped to win, EU diplomats say the window for a deal is narrowing to between now and late February.
by Hermes » Tue Dec 08, 2009 9:12 pm
paaul12 wrote:http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/eu-po ... ailure-act
As i said, today MUST be a good day
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