Cyprus-Forum.com

[boomerang]

Ankara alone is blocking Turkey’s path to EU accession...From Mr Alexandros N. Zenon.

Sir, You are right to point out (“Talking Turkey”, Editorial, October 6) that Turkey’s bullying tactics and “gunboat diplomacy” rhetoric have no place in the European Union and in international law. Your analysis, though, of Cyprus’s stance on the solution of the occupation problem and on Turkey’s EU accession is seriously hampered by inaccuracies and false assumptions.

Let me explain. Since the 1974 Turkish invasion, a just and lasting solution has been the top priority of consecutive governments in Cyprus, with efforts failing due to Ankara’s intransigence and maximalist positions. It was for this reason that the solution was not a precondition for Cyprus’s EU accession. In fact, our accession has been the result of hard work and steadfast resolve to ensure that our European future would cease from being held hostage to Turkey’s anachronistic policies.

Today, our determination to find a solution remains as strong as ever. President Demetris Christofias is fully committed to the negotiations despite recent evidence of backtracking from agreed convergences by the Turkish side. At the same time, my government has ensured that the Turkish Cypriot citizens of the Republic of Cyprus enjoy the benefits of EU membership barring, of course, the constraints created by the fait accompli on the ground.

Although Turkey continues to occupy 37 per cent of our territory illegally – a fact that seems to elude you – my government has taken the – politically difficult – strategic decision to support its European aspirations, provided Ankara meets the necessary criteria. Since 2005 the EU, including Cyprus, has opened numerous negotiating chapters. If the negotiations have stalled, it is because of lack of reforms in Turkey and due to Ankara’s refusal to comply with its obligations towards the EU and its member states.

In effect, no one is blocking Turkey’s path to the EU but Turkey itself. And no one bears more responsibility for the absence of a solution in Cyprus than the country responsible for the very existence of the problem; that is, Turkey itself. If Ankara were to adopt a constructive attitude and show basic respect for European values and international law, the reunification of Cyprus and its EU accession would be much less difficult to achieve than you advocate.

Alexandros N. Zenon, High Commissioner of Cyprus, London SW1, UK

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/dd126a3c-f0e1-11e0-aec8-00144feab49a.html#axzz1aRzJLPAf

[humanist]

What a great letter, Well done Mr Zenon

[Maximus]

Davutoğlu is generally linked to the notion of Turkish neo-Ottomanism, which favours a commonwealth with its neighbours and old Ottoman connections.[4] Although his foreign policies have been regarded as neo-Ottomanist by Western and especially U.S. media, Davutoğlu does not accept such a characterization. He stated in an interview with Turkish daily Sabah that "as much as we don't use this conceptualization, the fact that it is being used against us is either because of misunderstanding or lack of goodwill." He argued against the idea that Turkey is trying to establish a neo-Ottoman imperial order by saying that: "I have said that Turkey as a nation-state is equal with any other nation-state of our region whether it is small in population or area. We don't have any hegemony on anyone. Rather what we are trying to do is to contribute to the establishment of a permanent peace in our region. If by order they mean is Pax Ottomana, Pax in the meaning of order, we are trying to establish a order, it is not wrong to say such thing".[5]

In an interview with him he talked about his "Zero Problem Policy" and said that "It is possible to have zero problems if the other actors respect our values. It doesn't mean that we will be silent in order to have good relations with all parties.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmet_Davuto%C4%9Flu

An order of hegemony in all but name with neo-ottoman Turkey sitting at the top.

[Hermes]

Although Turkey continues to occupy 37 per cent of our territory illegally – a fact that seems to elude you – my government has taken the – politically difficult – strategic decision to support its European aspirations, provided Ankara meets the necessary criteria. Since 2005 the EU, including Cyprus, has opened numerous negotiating chapters. If the negotiations have stalled, it is because of lack of reforms in Turkey and due to Ankara’s refusal to comply with its obligations towards the EU and its member states.

In effect, no one is blocking Turkey’s path to the EU but Turkey itself. And no one bears more responsibility for the absence of a solution in Cyprus than the country responsible for the very existence of the problem; that is, Turkey itself. If Ankara were to adopt a constructive attitude and show basic respect for European values and international law, the reunification of Cyprus and its EU accession would be much less difficult to achieve than you advocate.

Mr. Zenon does a fine job on behalf of the Cypriot government. An excellent letter that puts the Turko-phile Financial Times in its place.

[ZoC]

Although Turkey continues to occupy 37 per cent of our territory illegally – a fact that seems to elude you – my government has taken the – politically difficult – strategic decision to support its European aspirations, provided Ankara meets the necessary criteria. Since 2005 the EU, including Cyprus, has opened numerous negotiating chapters. If the negotiations have stalled, it is because of lack of reforms in Turkey and due to Ankara’s refusal to comply with its obligations towards the EU and its member states.

In effect, no one is blocking Turkey’s path to the EU but Turkey itself. And no one bears more responsibility for the absence of a solution in Cyprus than the country responsible for the very existence of the problem; that is, Turkey itself. If Ankara were to adopt a constructive attitude and show basic respect for European values and international law, the reunification of Cyprus and its EU accession would be much less difficult to achieve than you advocate.

Mr. Zenon does a fine job on behalf of the Cypriot government. An excellent letter that puts the Turko-phile Financial Times in its place.

yes, he can even communicate in english.

[CBBB]

Although Turkey continues to occupy 37 per cent of our territory illegally – a fact that seems to elude you – my government has taken the – politically difficult – strategic decision to support its European aspirations, provided Ankara meets the necessary criteria. Since 2005 the EU, including Cyprus, has opened numerous negotiating chapters. If the negotiations have stalled, it is because of lack of reforms in Turkey and due to Ankara’s refusal to comply with its obligations towards the EU and its member states.

In effect, no one is blocking Turkey’s path to the EU but Turkey itself. And no one bears more responsibility for the absence of a solution in Cyprus than the country responsible for the very existence of the problem; that is, Turkey itself. If Ankara were to adopt a constructive attitude and show basic respect for European values and international law, the reunification of Cyprus and its EU accession would be much less difficult to achieve than you advocate.

Mr. Zenon does a fine job on behalf of the Cypriot government. An excellent letter that puts the Turko-phile Financial Times in its place.

yes, he can even communicate in english.

Are you incinerating something about our beloved President?