Cyprus-Forum.com

[Sotos]

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Cyprus has blocked the opening of Turkey's first negotiating chapter with the EU, with intense weekend diplomacy expected before a foreign ministers meeting on Monday.

The opening of the "science and research" legislative chapter is scheduled for Monday (12 June) at a meeting of EU foreign ministers with their Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul in Luxembourg.

The move would mean the first concrete work on one of the 35 negotiating chapters that EU candidate state Turkey has to go through before acceding to the bloc.

As there is no real EU legislation on science and research, the EU intended to close the chapter on the same day - Monday.

But Cyprus at a meeting of member states' ambassadors on Friday (9 June) fiercely resisted the closing of the chapter, demanding political concessions from Ankara first.

Diplomats said Nicosia wants to see progress on Turkey ending its continued non-recognition of Cyprus and its blockade of Cypriot shipping and air traffic.

Weekend diplomacy
"The Austrian EU presidency regrets that we did not reach a unanimous agreement in Coreper [member states permanent representatives committee]," said an Austrian spokesman.

"We stand ready for further negotiations in order to solve this issue, also over the weekend," said the spokesman. "The topic will now be handed over to foreign ministers on Monday."

A compromise text on the chapter prepared by Vienna contained a reference to the EU's 21 September statement, which requires Turkey to recognise EU member state Cyprus, as well as open its ports and airports to Cypriot vessels and planes

Nicosia has now made clear that if Ankara makes no progress in meeting these demands, it could veto the opening or closing of any chapter in Turkey's EU entry talks.

The starting and finishing of each of the 35 legislative chapters requires the unanimous consent of EU member states.

Should Cyprus get tougher in the EU-Turkey negotiations?

[miltiades]

Most certainly Cyprus should insist that the principles of the EU must be adhered to by all including prospective members such as Turkey is. We need Turkey in the EU but Turkey has to meet certain obligations imposed by the EU , she can not dictate to the EU . It is inconceivable that she continues not recognising a member state of the EU.
Recognition of Cyprus is a prerequisite for Turkeys continuation of the negotiations leading to full membership. Europe will not succumb to anachronistic contact by Turkey or by any other nation. Cyprus as a member must use it's vote and insist that no negotiations can proceed until a prospective member nation comes to its senses and recognises what the entire world already does.
The ROC is a full member of the EU and recognised internationally as the legitimate government of Cyprus.
Our Turkish Cypriot compatriots are part of the ROC not part of Turkey they are Cypriots just as we are . partners in our Cyprus.

[lysi]

I can not belive that the cyprus government will have the backbone to stop turkeys entry into the EU, if the occupation comes to an end and people are allowed to get there homes & land back then let turkey join, after all most turks will head for the uk to work & live AND THAT WILL PISS OFF THE ENGLISH..

[Alexander]

I can not belive that the cyprus government will have the backbone to stop turkeys entry into the EU, if the occupation comes to an end and people are allowed to get there homes & land back then let turkey join, after all most turks will head for the uk to work & live AND THAT WILL PISS OFF THE ENGLISH..

I dont think you have to worry about the Cypriot veto not being used to block the Turks. There is a very long que in front of us. France, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Italy,.. ...,Pope Benedict,., Dala Lhama,.., Elvis, Mother Theresa and Princess Dianna , The Blue Whale of the Pacific and his friend Moby Dick,Tom and Jerry, The Simpsons, population of the planet Earth ( past and present), Bhudda, Prophet Mohammed, Jesus Christ, and God.

I think our friends Toliet and Dirtcrap will be waiting for a very long time.

[miltiades]

I knew that your specialist subject was Tom & Jerry .

[Alexander]

I knew that your specialist subject was Tom & Jerry .

That was a very weak link betwixt posts. Anyway, a D+ for trying. And you are trying poor thing.

[Kikapu]

[I dont think you have to worry about the Cypriot veto not being used to block the Turks. There is a very long que in front of us. France, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Italy....

Alexander,

Unless Turkey gets into the EU, and not just a promise to get into the EU, you can kiss the Northern part of Cyprus goodbye. I know the ROC wants to act as if she is now in the big leauges politically, but in actual fact, she's not. Yes, you're right, that all the countries you have mentioned above will stand in the way of Turkey joining the EU. If the ROC has the political clout, she thinks she has, she would be best adviced to convince the others to help Turkey get into EU, to save herself from splitting into two.

[akiner]

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - Cyprus has blocked the opening of Turkey's first negotiating chapter with the EU, with intense weekend diplomacy expected before a foreign ministers meeting on Monday.

Hurray!! one more time for Greek Administration of Cyprus

[bg_turk]

Recognition of Cyprus is a prerequisite for Turkeys continuation of the negotiations leading to full membership.

It is not and cannot be. Turkey will never recognize the Souther Cypriot Administration as the sole government of the island before a solution is found and the EU knows that.

The EU should have known better than to admit a divided country at war with its other half as full-fledged member.

[miltiades]

bg turk, Cyprus has never existed as anything other than Cyprus. The Turkish invasion created the so called "TRNC" . Turkey is well known internationally of having the gift or the stupidity of denying certain realities , one of them being the 15 plus million Kurdish people in Turkey.The other , the extermination of hundreds of thousands of Armenians. They , the Turks , seem to bury their heads in the sand and utterly ignore realities.
Cyprus , not Southern or North , but Cyprus stupid , is the Nation recognised INTERNATIONALY AND BY EUROPE as the only CYPRUS , THAT INCLUDES THE Greeks and the Turks , all are Cypriots. This bullshit of North and South is purely Turkish(mainland ) garbage that will not be seriously taken by Europe.

Turkey wants badly to move on and be part of Europe , recognising Cyprus is a prerequisite condition.
How the hell can you seriously defend such an absurdity that a prospective member of the EU steadfastly refuses to recognise a member nation, THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS , that includes all Cyprus.
Let me say once more , Cyprus is not Turkish , is not Greek , Cyprus is just that C Y P R U S .