by Kifeas » Tue Aug 02, 2005 4:08 pm
French rigid warnings to Turkey!
from "Politis" newspaper.
France warned Turkey today (02/08/05) that it will exercise pressure for Ankara to recognize the Republic of Cyprus, as a condition for her EU accession negotiations to open up in October.
French Prime Minister Dominique De Vilben clarified in a radiobroadcasting interview that “it is inconceivable for such an accession procedure to begin, with a country that doesn’t recognize every member of the EU, all 25 members.”
“There is a principle which seems to me that needs to be safeguarded, and France will make it clear to Turkey, as well as to the other EU members, during our upcomming meetings,” he added.
Asked to comment whether it will be possible for the EU not to open Turkey’s accession negotiations on the 3rd of October, Mr. De Vilben stressed, “but of course, I think these issues should be made clear.”