Cyprus-Forum.com

[Oracle]

EU concerns about Turkey have made its accession progress slow
Turkey is due to open a new chapter in its negotiations to join the EU, but a long-running dispute over Cyprus means other chapters are blocked.

Candidate countries have to open and then close 35 chapters of talks bringing their own laws and institutions in line with the EU's.

The opening of Turkey's 13th chapter - on food and veterinary safety - may turn out to be the last.

Cyprus joined the EU in 2004, but Turkey backs its breakaway north.

The northern part of the island is still governed by an unrecognised administration.

The Greek-Cypriot government vetoed a plan to allow the Turkish part to trade with EU member states. Turkey retaliated by blocking access to its ports for Cypriot ships, which led the EU to freeze eight negotiating chapters.

Settlement needed

Together with France, Germany and Austria, Cyprus is blocking all but three of the remaining chapters and Turkish officials say they expect even those three will also be blocked.

That means Turkey's troubled candidacy cannot move forward unless there is a settlement of the Cyprus conflict and that prospect still looks remote.

Croatia started its EU negotiations at the same time as Turkey. It expects to close all 35 chapters by the end of this year and become a full member in 2012.

Turkish officials insist EU membership is still their primary foreign policy goal, but they complain that they face far more obstacles than other countries.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/10458435.stm

[bill cobbett]

Been wondering about this in the light of recents events vis-a-vis Israel, and although acknowledge that Turkish nationals were killed a few days ago, just wonder whether Turkish posturing in the area over the past few months is a way of saying to the EU (and of course the USA) that if accession doesn't proceed, that Turkey does have other options which the EU (and the USA) wouldn't like.

Stress >>> just a thought from a devious mind.

[AWE]

Been wondering about this in the light of recents events vis-a-vis Israel, and although acknowledge that Turkish nationals were killed a few days ago, just wonder whether Turkish posturing in the area over the past few months is a way of saying to the EU (and of course the USA) that if accession doesn't proceed, that Turkey does have other options which the EU (and the USA) wouldn't like.

Stress >>> just a thought from a devious mind.

I would think so, wouldn't you?

[bill cobbett]

Been wondering about this in the light of recents events vis-a-vis Israel, and although acknowledge that Turkish nationals were killed a few days ago, just wonder whether Turkish posturing in the area over the past few months is a way of saying to the EU (and of course the USA) that if accession doesn't proceed, that Turkey does have other options which the EU (and the USA) wouldn't like.

Stress >>> just a thought from a devious mind.

I would think so, wouldn't you?

I really don't know mate. Perhaps others have a view.

[wyoming cowboy]

How about the option of being blown to hell!!!!

[Oracle]

Been wondering about this in the light of recents events vis-a-vis Israel, and although acknowledge that Turkish nationals were killed a few days ago, just wonder whether Turkish posturing in the area over the past few months is a way of saying to the EU (and of course the USA) that if accession doesn't proceed, that Turkey does have other options which the EU (and the USA) wouldn't like.

Stress >>> just a thought from a devious mind.

I agree that the stance for Gaza has been a well planned operation in view of the fact the Turks knew they could not get into the EU by adjusting their Human Rights records and other "obstacles" to prove their worth by fair means (as others have e.g. Croatia).

Turkey once again proves it can only "negotiate" and "advance" by Might and Blackmail. For this reason, the next step, after booting from EU, is to fragment Turkey into manageable proportions. It should NEVER have been ceded so much territory, and the Kurds (at the very least) need immediate restitution.

[Nikitas]

According to some commentators this foreign minister dude Davutoglu, who likes to theorize about Strategic Depth, or as some Turkish journalists say Strategi Superificiality, sees the future of Turkey out of the EU.

So what is the story? In or out?

[Acikgoz]

In - if the conditions are right - as always. No change. Money matters will keep any clandestine motives you may believe Davutoglu to have to keep him back.
Note the official dialogue has started with Israel......

Side note - funny to see Cyprus let go the Russian spy - will they find him?

[boomerang]

In - if the conditions are right - as always. No change. Money matters will keep any clandestine motives you may believe Davutoglu to have to keep him back.
Note the official dialogue has started with Israel......

Side note - funny to see Cyprus let go the Russian spy - will they find him?

the eu was bitten badly by greece....the last thing they want is a repeat...so money matters reflect both ways...

[humanist]

well according to VP Turkey wants out why they still push for discussions for in is beyond me