Cyprus-Forum.com

[magikthrill]

Views: 36
Cyprus has demanded that Turkey sign the customs protocol that would extend the European Union-Turkey customs union to all new member states including Cyprus, before it agrees to the EU's negotiating framework with Turkey, during a meeting of EU foreign ministers at the General Affairs Council on Monday. All 25 member states must be in agreement, for Turkey to start he agreed accession talks scheduled to begin on October 3.

Cyprus Foreign Minister George Iacovou warned the British Presidency of the EU and other EU member states that Cyprus will not consent to a unanimous decision of the General Affairs Council on the framework of Turkey's accession negotiations unless Ankara signs the protocol extending its association agreement with the ten new EU member states, according to CNA.

The Presidency had said that no discussion on Turkey would take place at the meeting on Monday, but that Iacovou would be allowed to state his potion as Cyprus has a vested interest in the issue.

Iacovou challenged British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw over the issue that London and Ankara had an agreement that will be followed regarding the signing of the protocol, claims which Straw categorically denied.
Referring to the signing of the protocol, the Cypriot Minister said it is a procedure that takes only 20 seconds to complete. “Turkey committed itself that it would sign the protocol,” Iacovou said, adding that the preparation of the document took five months and the Luxembourg Presidency sent the relevant document to Ankara with an invitation to come forward to sign it.

The Cyprus foreign minister also accused Turkey of using a number of gimmicks to get out of signing the protocol.

Iacovou said that for Cyprus the framework negotiations and protocol go together, he noted that this was the message to all from Nicosa.

source: turks.us

[magikthrill]

i thought they had already signed the damn thing.

whats all the stalling if theyve made their position clear that signing the document doesnt mean recognition?

any conspiarcies anyone can think of?

[Turkey (( *]

Well I thought they signed it too. But it will be a step to recognition

[cannedmoose]

From what I know, they're still vacillating about signing it. They want to make a declaration at the same time as they sign it stating that they do not recognise the government of the Republic of Cyprus, so there's an argument going on about that right now. The EU are saying that such a statement is not allowed and has no precedent, but Turkey are still demanding they have their say.