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[humanist]

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Cyprus constructive over Turkish bid to join EU

Published: November 18 2010 02:55 | Last updated: November 18 2010 02:55

From Mr Alexandros N. Zenon.

Sir, While you are absolutely right in concluding that the two-state solution is not the ideal one for Cyprus and that it would be an additional – I say insurmountable – obstacle in Turkey’s European course (“Cyprus endgame”, Editorial, November 13), your analysis, in a rather simplistic way, fails to identify the reasons behind the lack of progress in the negotiations.

Let me remind you that, while the proposals made by President Demetris Christofias are within the framework for a solution, agreed by the two communities and the UN Security Council resolutions, the same cannot be said for the Turkish Cypriot side and the proposals of its leader, Dervis Eroglu, who, as you correctly note, is in favour of a two-state solution. Interestingly enough, as Turkish Cypriot leaders have admitted in the recent past, these proposals are drafted in Ankara. Yes, “it is easy to sound in favour of a solution ... you can train a parrot in a pet shop to say that”; you do not seem, however, in this case, to realise who the parrots are.

Contrary to your claims, Cyprus has always adopted a constructive attitude on Turkey’s accession to the European Union. And this despite the fact that Turkey still does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus and maintains a 40,000-strong occupation army on its territory.

The decision though to freeze a number of chapters in Turkey’s accession negotiations, taken unanimously by all member states, including the UK, is due to Turkey’s refusal to fulfil its obligations vis à vis the EU and its member states. For much less, other applicant countries were not given even candidate status.

In other words, no one is blocking Turkey’s path to the EU but itself; but, instead of calling on Turkey to implement its European obligations, in order to advance its accession prospects, you present the Greek Cypriots as the ones who have stalled the process. That is simply not only untrue but also counter-productive.

Regrettably, but not unsurprisingly, your publication once more demonstrates a dubious consistency when dealing with Cyprus which, finally, pays lip service to the cause of the reunification of Cyprus and, consequently, to that of Turkey’s European aspirations.

Alexandros N. Zenon,

High Commissioner for the Republic of Cyprus,

London SW1, UK

[Viewpoint]

Who ever this jerk is, he is liar.

[paliometoxo]

this man tells the truth

[Viewpoint]

The EU is whoring the GCs to block Turkeys path.

[wyoming cowboy]

a country that illegally occuppies another nation, violates the civil rights of the citizens of that nation cannot join the EU. whats so hard to understand or believe?

[Viewpoint]

a country that illegally occuppies another nation, violates the civil rights of the citizens of that nation cannot join the EU. whats so hard to understand or believe?

and where will that leave your EU leverage? İn the bin me thinks.

[Kikapu]

a country that illegally occuppies another nation, violates the civil rights of the citizens of that nation cannot join the EU. whats so hard to understand or believe?

and where will that leave your EU leverage? İn the bin me thinks.

The question you should be asking is, how many more butts will Turkey needs to kiss to get into the EU as time goes by, because there are more countries coming into the EU union all the time, and not all will be crazy about Turkey, like Serbia for example.??.

[Viewpoint]

Do you read anything about how Turkey is developing the EU is a sick old man who will probably be dead by the time Turkey gets ant sort of green light to enter the EU at which time Turkey may not want to enter. Plus i do not seeTurkey in any rush to enter.

[Kikapu]

Do you read anything about how Turkey is developing the EU is a sick old man who will probably be dead by the time Turkey gets ant sort of green light to enter the EU at which time Turkey may not want to enter. Plus i do not seeTurkey in any rush to enter.

But Turkey thinks they are already ready with the quote below. Why wait until 2050 when they think they will have a $6 Trillion Dollar economy and $60,000 Dollars per capita. By the way, in 40 years time, $60,000 dollars per capita may well be the minimum income for the EU countries. It all depends of course what the US Dollar does, since everything is quoted in US Dollars. But in a nutshell, if the EU does beg Turkey to come in, that's more bad news for you, because you don't want Turkey in the EU and Turkey does, because it would mean they will have to solve the Cyprus problem, or did you think they do not need to solve the Cyprus problem first. Just one more reminder for you also, that the RoC is the EU, since they are a EU member.!!

"I am not saying Turkey is perfect ... she has to solve very important issues," Bagis said. But "compared to the past, Turkey is at a much better point."

"We have started to taste, to smell full accession," he said. "The fact that the European Commission found that Turkey achieved progress in all chapters signals better days."

http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/eu-ch ... s/20101110

[All4114All]

The question to the topic is does the EU need Turkey more than ever now or does Turkey need the EU? At the moment I just don't see what is so great about the EU to become a member when you have so many eurozone countries falling into bailouts from the EU and IMF which will cause those countries to lose control on their own financial control. There is talks that eurozone countries like Greece, Ireland, Spain, Portugual may consider to split so they can devalue their own currency to cause less pain in fact it would be greater gain for the Euro strength if such a move did happen. Then you have Bulgaria which is a mafia state that most of the EU funded projects provided has been misused and has stopped any furher funds to be given. Not much to say about Romania in the same boat. Then there is talks about Croatia and Serbia to join. Turkey has however done very well without the EU with the economy continuing to rise and without the monetary policies set by the EU. Although I dont think Turkey should turn away from the EU but the process of trying to join the EU is certainly a greater image for Turkey. Personally I am struggling to see the EU as we speak as a powerful currency in the next 10 years with only two members Germany and France striving to keep the eurozone together.

So now we ask the question is Cyprus really blocking Turkey's EU membership bid for worse or is it actually helping Turkey to stay away from the EU for the time being?