Cyprus-Forum.com

[Sotos]

“So, when you are negotiating and you have one country sitting in the club and the other seeking to join the club, it does not make it easier.

Quite frankly, I think that this situation has complicated the process,” Annan said.
http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=26408

What is your opinion about this?

[Filitsa]

Quite the contrary. I think the dialogue and negotiation process continues to paint a clearer picture of the intentions of the parties involved and that the solution will not be the ideal one for all Cypriots ... short of putting into words exactly what I think will happen because it pains me to admit it. I hope I'm wrong.

[Piratis]

If it wasn't for the EU accession of Cyprus, the Turks would still be saying that "the Cyprus problem was solved in 1974".

With the EU accession of Cyprus Turkey would have a problem as well, not just Cypriots. They (Turkey, USA/UK, Annan) tried to solve the problem of Turkey by quickly closing the Cyprus issue by legalizing partition and removing any leverage Cyprus would have with her EU accession.

The failed to do that and solve the problem of Turkey, so yes, the EU accession of Cyprus has complicated the process of the solution of their problem.

The solution of the problem of Cypriots has always been complicated and we didn't reach any point of being close to a true solution. If Cyprus acts correctly within EU and it doesn't bent from the Turkish threats then in the future we might be closer to a solution.

[Viewpoint]

Might being the optimum word, this could also backfire as a Turkey with no interest in working towards the EU will have no incentative in solving the Cyprus issue. What will you do then??? No more EU leverage what will you do?

[stuballstu]

Good points viewpoint.

Just to add to what you said this is the same EU that promised Turkish Cypriots aid, of which only half has been given thanks to the Greek Cypriot administration, and the end of isolation.

If the EU suspends talks on Turkey joining them what does PapaD do then. I know he'll hold a press conference and tell everyone that the "mighty" Cyprus stopped Turkeys accession in its tracks. Just more fuel for the fire known as the Cyprus problem.

[Viewpoint]

Its just another modern day version of the mistakes of 1974 luckily without the war but result the same divison and status quo.
I wonder what GCs will do if Turkey turns away from the EU obviously they have made a few calculations of the outcome.

[RichardB]

Might being the optimum word, this could also backfire as a Turkey with no interest in working towards the EU will have no incentative in solving the Cyprus issue. What will you do then??? No more EU leverage what will you do?

Excellent point

The person (Turkey) wanting to join the club must agree to abide by the rules of the club before being allowed to join.

If the the person does not agree to abide by the rules(and the rules regarding the 'Cyprus problem' are well documented in this forum) then the person will be refused membership.

If this happens then we could have a worse case scenario as stated above.

I dont profess to know the answer, there are contributors to this forum far better informed than me to answer this but as viewpoint asks 'what will you do'....

As a layman in politics my prsonal view is that in order to even start towards a solution. Cyprus needs Turkey in the EU

[Piratis]

So if the scenarios are:
1) Cyprus only losing
or
2) Cyprus AND Turkey losing.

Then we will take number (2), thanks.

If the scenario of both Turkey and Cyprus coming out as winners exists then Turkey has so stop her expansionist policies and withdraw from RoC territories. If they don't do that then they will lose too, unlike what they were used to so far that Cypriots were the only ones who would lose because of the Turkish insistence on illegality.

Now the choice of Turkey is: Stop the illegalities or pay (the first) price for it.
The option of "continuing the illegalities and paying no price" is not available to her since May 1st 2004.

How exactly would Cyprus gain if they were allowing Turkey to continue her EU accession without Turkey making any concessions????

[RichardB]

Piratis

I have read a lot of your posts and you have a far better knowlege of the politics of Cyprus than I will ever have so i dont want to turn this into an argument I will not win.

It is my opinion that the best way to a solution to the Cyprus problem will be through the offices of the EU.

If the present government of Cyprus does not bend its stance on Turkish ascension to the EU then there is a chance they will not be accepted as member.

If this happens then I think that the best chance for a solution may be gone for a long time.

I am not a political animal but like the vast majority on this forum I would like to see a just and fair solution to the problem

And by the way I did not say that Turkey would not have to make consessions. But maybe so would the RoC government.

[Viewpoint]

Option 2 looks like the way this story will end and Cyprus will be divided forever.

Is that what you want? Obviously as the actions of your leader is dragging you in that direction.

Cyprus can only use EU leverage if Turkey continues with her EU accessioni that way you may apply pressure on Turkey to negotiate but obviously this is not what you want, you want to score little triamphs but the lose the game.