Cyprus-Forum.com

[magikthrill]

Euro MP: "Turkey must recognize Cyprus"
Friday, July 29 2005 @ 10:21 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Views: 45
Leader of the European Parliament's largest political group, German Christian Democrat Hans-Gert Poettering said that Turkey must recognize Cyprus before it starts talks with the European Union on whether it will become a member of the 25-nation bloc.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Poettering said, "Negotiating means accepting each other as negotiating partners." Poettering heads the conservative European People's Party in the EU assembly.

Adding that, " The negotiating partners of Turkey would be all 25 EU-member states. How can Turkey negotiate its accession to the EU without recognising one of its members?"

The debate is raging on over the signing of the customs protocol by Turkey to extend it's customs agreement with the EU to cover the 10 new member states, including Cyprus, as a recognition of Cyprus or not.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan backed by British Prime Minister Tony Blair has stated quite clearly while on an official to London this week, that signing the protocol does not mean the recognition of Cyprus by Ankara.

Christian Democrats across Europe are well-known for their sentiment against Turkey's accession into the EU.

[magikthrill]

somehow i dont think this will benefit the GC side but then again what has?

[Murtaza]

why? arent you like for this recognition pressure? It looks like papa is having what he want, EU is forcing Turkey for recognition

[erolz]

why? arent you like for this recognition pressure? It looks like papa is having what he want, EU is forcing Turkey for recognition

The situation is clear and has already been agreed. The requirement for the start of Turkish entry to talks to begin was the signing of the cutoms protocal extension (now done) and NOT recognition. The RoC and TP and anti Turkish elements in the EU can say all they like about how the requirement for the start of talks should be or must be or will be recognition and it does not matter , because this issue has already been settled.

[sophisticatedbeggar]

somehow i dont think this will benefit the GC side but then again what has?

Good morning from Athens,

Can you please elaborate magikthrill? I don't understand how Mr Poettering's statement may harm (or not benefit) the Greek Cypriot side...

[fi]

Well it is logical isn't it????? If Turkey wants to enter it must recognise a full EU member!!

[erolz]

Well it is logical isn't it????? If Turkey wants to enter it must recognise a full EU member!!

Ultimately everyone agrees that this will be the case. However the issue is at which point Turkey must do this and under which conditions re the state of a settlment in Cyprus they must do this.

As far as the pro 'Turkey in the EU' forces go, Turkey had to make a significant and major shift on it's relationship with the RoC in order to begin the process of accession. This it has done. I believe they also expect similar from the RoC in terms of securing a negotiated settlement in Cyprus. If the RoC simply takes every concession from Turksy over the Cyprus issue and refuses to show any recipricocity in return (as seems to be the case) I beleieve it will only damage the RoC standing in the EU and increase the support of 'pro Turkey in EU' forces for Turkey and its position re Cyprus.

[tcklim]

Agreed, the RoC should show more goodwill and Turkey seems to have been reforming a great extent (from the albeit limited info I've read about it anyway) and the RoC standing has already been greatly damaged in Europe, it's really really shifted and I've heard comments from a number of people throughout Europe, mostly asking me why we voted no...... of course, they don't really have in-depth knowledge of the plan, but attitudes with regards to the GC-side in Europe, whether justified or unjustified (that is a whole other debate), have definetely gone for the worse....

but Turkey should really soften its stance vis-a-vis recognition..... it really is portrayed as stubborn throughout..... the RoC is a member of the EU and is internationally recognized, and logically, any member state aspiring to enter into the club should acknowledge the existence of all its members..... and from a very very simple kid-like point of view.... what the crap is the big deal??? Just "recognize" it ........ build up a favorable position amongst existing EU members, which are growing opposed to Turkeys membership unfortunately..... good gestures are needed more than stubborn ones

[erolz]

but Turkey should really soften its stance vis-a-vis recognition..... it really is portrayed as stubborn throughout..... the RoC is a member of the EU and is internationally recognized, and logically, any member state aspiring to enter into the club should acknowledge the existence of all its members..... and from a very very simple kid-like point of view.... what the crap is the big deal??? Just "recognize" it ........ build up a favorable position amongst existing EU members, which are growing opposed to Turkeys membership unfortunately..... good gestures are needed more than stubborn ones

Have you seen the Turkish statment that 'accompanied' the signing of the protocol? If not I re present it here.

1. Turkey remains committed to the search for a political settlement in Cyprus and has already clearly demonstrated its resolve in this regard.

Accordingly Turkey will continue to support United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s solution efforts aiming for the foundation of a new bi-communal co-partnership republic. A fair and lasting solution will contribute to peace, stability and the establishment of harmonious relations in the region.


2. The Republic of Cyprus referred to in this protocol is not the co-partnership republic founded in 1960.


3. Henceforth, Turkey will maintain its standpoint according to which Greek Cypriot offices have authority and control only south of the buffer zone and do not represent the Turkish Cypriot community, and will treat these offices’ actions accordingly.


4. Turkey declares that the signature, the approval and the implementation of this protocol do not signify the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus referred to in the Protocol and do not prejudice Turkey’s rights and duties sanctioned by the 1960 Treaties of Guarantee, Alliance and the Foundation.


5. Hereby, Turkey confirms that it being a party of this protocol will not alter its present relations with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.


6. Pending a comprehensive settlement, the position of Turkey on Cyprus will remain unchanged. Turkey proclaims its readiness to establish relations with the new co-partnership state to result from a comprehensive settlement.

Seems pretty clear to me and from my perspective quite reasonable. Turkey can not recognise the RoC in its current form as the sole legitimate government of all of Cyprus, without having to 'de recognise' (abandon) the TRNC and basicaly 'give up' any support they have given to the TC in Cyprus. They would have no basis to 'justify' their military presense in Cyprus if they officaly recognise the RoC. So in effect to just 'recognise' the RoC as it satnds and as the sole legitimate government of all of Cyprus and all Cypriots is the same as saying why does Turkey not just abanndon its entire policy in Cyprus and capiutulate in total to the demands of the GC. The EU knows this (those that are not just looking for 'excuses' to block Turkish accession). I believe these forces in the EU expect Turkey to make concessions and movement of it's stance with the RoC (and with the signing and implementing of the protocal it has done this) and they expect the RoC to make movement / concessions on finding an agreeing a comprehensive settlement on the Island. [/quote]

[tcklim]

I had indeed not seen that statement and I guess not really fully thought-through .... the "recognition" in my mind was exactly what was portrayed in that statement and I think its fair given the current situation.....