Cyprus-Forum.com

[bill cobbett]

The opening of ports and airspace, is unconditional. They agreed to do it and should not expect anything in return.

I agree, but we are the only ones that see it that way, so the "International Community" will expect something from the RoC.

We can "reciprocate" by unblocking one of the frozen accession chapters - a minor one. That way nothing really changes but we are seen to be responding.

Erm... Believe there are 8 chapters blocked by Turkey's refusal to open up airspace and ports to CY. IF, and it's a biggish IF, the unpredictable Erdotnuc opens up airspace and ports as required, the EU will have to re-open all 8 chapters, and think CY will have to go along with it.

... oh and another thing, think the EU should be putting on some time scales on Turkey's application. This can't go on forever and a day.

[Hermes]

The opening of ports and airspace, is unconditional. They agreed to do it and should not expect anything in return.

I agree, but we are the only ones that see it that way, so the "International Community" will expect something from the RoC.

We can "reciprocate" by unblocking one of the frozen accession chapters - a minor one. That way nothing really changes but we are seen to be responding.

Erm... Believe there are 8 chapters blocked by Turkey's refusal to open up airspace and ports to CY. IF, and it's a biggish IF, the unpredictable Erdotnuc opens up airspace and ports as required, the EU will have to re-open all 8 chapters, and think CY will have to go along with it.

... oh and another thing, think the EU should be putting on some time scales on Turkey's application. This can't go on forever and a day.

Bill, you're right. But can you see Turkey adhering fully to the Ankara Protocol and removing all restrictions on vessels and aircraft to allow free circulation of goods between Turkey and Cyprus. Without condition. Lifting all restrictions on Cyprus Airways and other Cypriot transport companies to use Turkish airspace. Again without condition. Lifting restrictions on communications between the Turkish and Cypriot civil aviation authorities. Lifting restrictions on Cypriot-flagged ships and ships serving Cypriot trade. Further, Cypriot vessels or vessels having landed in Cyprus are still not allowed in Turkish ports. And Turkey has still not extended its Customs Union to the Republic of Cyprus.

All of these issues are linked to different chapters and Turkey will have to remove the relevant obstacles to unblock each chapter. Further, the ROC can insist that no conditions or restrictions are attached and will have to see evidence of this in practice.

Will Turkey make such a move? It might try to wriggle around, maybe offering small concessions here and there. But fully implementing the Ankara Protocol is not a small thing. Even if Erdogan fully implements the Protocol, the ROC is under no obligation to close any chapter and still has many of the other 35 chapters in total, it can block.

[bill cobbett]

The opening of ports and airspace, is unconditional. They agreed to do it and should not expect anything in return.

I agree, but we are the only ones that see it that way, so the "International Community" will expect something from the RoC.

We can "reciprocate" by unblocking one of the frozen accession chapters - a minor one. That way nothing really changes but we are seen to be responding.

Erm... Believe there are 8 chapters blocked by Turkey's refusal to open up airspace and ports to CY. IF, and it's a biggish IF, the unpredictable Erdotnuc opens up airspace and ports as required, the EU will have to re-open all 8 chapters, and think CY will have to go along with it.

... oh and another thing, think the EU should be putting on some time scales on Turkey's application. This can't go on forever and a day.

Bill, you're right. But can you see Turkey adhering fully to the Ankara Protocol and removing all restrictions on vessels and aircraft to allow free circulation of goods between Turkey and Cyprus. Without condition. Lifting all restrictions on Cyprus Airways and other Cypriot transport companies to use Turkish airspace. Again without condition. Lifting restrictions on communications between the Turkish and Cypriot civil aviation authorities. Lifting restrictions on Cypriot-flagged ships and ships serving Cypriot trade. Further, Cypriot vessels or vessels having landed in Cyprus are still not allowed in Turkish ports. And Turkey has still not extended its Customs Union to the Republic of Cyprus.

All of these issues are linked to different chapters and Turkey will have to remove the relevant obstacles to unblock each chapter. Further, the ROC can insist that no conditions or restrictions are attached and will have to see evidence of this in practice.

Will Turkey make such a move? It might try to wriggle around, maybe offering small concessions here and there. But fully implementing the Ankara Protocol is not a small thing. Even if Erdogan fully implements the Protocol, the ROC is under no obligation to close any chapter and still has many of the other 35 chapters in total, it can block.

Well yes, which is why stressed it was a biggish IF above, but from the EU's perspective... it has the agreement in the Ankara Protocol, and it's an unconditional one, so much depends on how accommodating and how much more patient the EU will be, but on the back of Erdotnuc also delivering on constitutional reform towards EU norms (which to be fair to the man, he is keen on), in practise the EU may throw in a few sweeteners to get the Protocol moving, perhaps in the way of the re-opening of slightly more than 8 chapters sort, which CY will have to go along with... but who can really second guess these things?

... and am also reading that Borosso has welcomed the re-election, and Poland which assumes the EU Presidency next month is keen to speed up entry talks with Turkey... which lead me to believe that a few things are coming together... interesting times in the next few weeks.

[CBBB]

interesting times in the next few weeks.

Are you imposing "time frames"?

[Viewpoint]

Nothing will change you will be saying the same thing in 6 months and think you are so clever when have you idiots got anything right?

[bill cobbett]

interesting times in the next few weeks.

Are you imposing "time frames"?

Oh yes absolutely... think Turkey's application for EU membership should be done and dusted in principle no later than July of next year, in time for CY Presidency...all this dragging on and on is costing EU taxpayers quite enough, thank you very much.

Oh and by the way VP ... you know Erdotnuc has been a bit pussed with the CYs of the Occupied Areas in recent months?... and you know what a firm hand he can have? ...

[ZoC]

when have you idiots got anything right?

err... no change to direct flights? orams? j-lo? ur tiny bollox?

[Viewpoint]

interesting times in the next few weeks.

Are you imposing "time frames"?

Oh yes absolutely... think Turkey's application for EU membership should be done and dusted in principle no later than July of next year, in time for CY Presidency...all this dragging on and on is costing EU taxpayers quite enough, thank you very much.

Oh and by the way VP ... you know Erdotnuc has been a bit pussed with the CYs of the Occupied Areas in recent months?... and you know what a firm hand he can have? ...

Let him do his worst still preferred to GC rule.

[quattro]

interesting times in the next few weeks.

Are you imposing "time frames"?

Oh yes absolutely... think Turkey's application for EU membership should be done and dusted in principle no later than July of next year, in time for CY Presidency...all this dragging on and on is costing EU taxpayers quite enough, thank you very much.

Oh and by the way VP ... you know Erdotnuc has been a bit pussed with the CYs of the Occupied Areas in recent months?... and you know what a firm hand he can have? ...

Let him do his worst still preferred to GC rule.

After all you are a masochist too

[Hermes]

Well yes, which is why stressed it was a biggish IF above, but from the EU's perspective... it has the agreement in the Ankara Protocol, and it's an unconditional one, so much depends on how accommodating and how much more patient the EU will be, but on the back of Erdotnuc also delivering on constitutional reform towards EU norms (which to be fair to the man, he is keen on), in practise the EU may throw in a few sweeteners to get the Protocol moving, perhaps in the way of the re-opening of slightly more than 8 chapters sort, which CY will have to go along with... but who can really second guess these things?

Even so, I read one Turkish commentator who said that even if Turkey decides to open its ports and airspace to ROC ships and planes, the ROC is perfectly entitled to then ask for additional preconditions for the unblocking of chapters including demanding Ankara stop using the illegal Ercan Airport and the Port of Famagusta. The ROC may also request the opening of an embassy in Ankara. Plenty more ways to keep up the pressure on Turkey's accession it seems ...