Cyprus-Forum.com

[pitsilos]

you like to believe that don't you? you really think you call the shots.

i am amazed!

[humanist]

Hey Pitsilos I am affraid that Turkey does pull the strings, I think the EU's lack on decision making around stopping the accession process because Turkey has not fullfilled its obligations and agreements in relation to trade is a clear indication that Turkey is indeed running the show. Only my observation.

[pitsilos]

you call 8 chapters frozen, and no chapters closing, recognition of the roc, and you call this pulling the strings?

ever heard of the saying give them enough rope to hang themselves?
or
how about always stringing them along for the ride?

are you honestly of the belief that if there wasn't a cyppro, turkey would have breezed through it?
or
you think just because of their size the EU power houses are ready to concede the crown jewels?

you are so far of the mark.

[humanist]

I hope I am miles away from the mark but I honestly believe thay are running the EU show, admittedly they are being used to meet the needs of Britain who in turn I feel is sucking up to the US.

[pitsilos]

have you read

http://www.cyprus-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=8282

Olli Rehn press conference transcript on Turkey, and this from an independant.

he clearly outlines the breakdown.

yes it's of noones interest to cut off too quick, but when these guys say slow down, they actually saying its a choo choo train crash.

[zan]

have you read

http://www.cyprus-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=8282

Olli Rehn press conference transcript on Turkey, and this from an independant.

he clearly outlines the breakdown.

yes it's of noones interest to cut off too quick, but when these guys say slow down, they actually saying its a choo choo train crash.

You do take things too literally sometimes. They are not about to turn their backs on each other and walk off in different directions with a huff. How many times have we seen situations like this look bad or good, whichever way, suddenly turn around and either be fixed or fall apart. I have not taken any of this EU business seriously as in the end they will do what ever the hell they want. Turkey was told it could take ten to fifteen years. So it will be the latter who cares. The only thing is that because it is directly tied in with Cyprus, at the moment, that we can be sure that Cyprus will take at least that long as well, and as the EU are going to give Turkey that much room for manoeuvre then they might even get the chance to separate the two and then Cyprus will go on forever. There are no winners in this yet because the game has not got any way near to finishing.

[zan]

IT'S ALL HOTTING UP ON REUTERS

17:33 01Dec2006
UPDATE 2-Cyprus should not seal Turkey's EU fate, says PM

(Recasts, adds more quotes, details)
By Gareth Jones
ANKARA, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Turkey, locked in a row with EU member Cyprus over trade, appealed on Friday to European Union leaders not to let the tiny Mediterranean island determine the fate of Ankara's bid to join the bloc.
Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, speaking after talks with current EU president Finland, also insisted that a European Commission proposal to freeze Turkey's negotiations in eight out of 35 policy areas because of the row was "unacceptable".
"I believe that EU leaders will act with common sense and will not allow this process to be held hostage by one member state (Cyprus)," Erdogan told a joint news conference with his Finnish counterpart Matti Vanhanen.
"Turkey's EU relationship goes far deeper than the Cyprus issue. Such a grand project has consequences for the whole world," he said.
Erdogan, a charismatic conservative with roots in political Islam, often depicts Turkey's EU bid as a historic chance to bridge the gap between the West and the Islamic world and avert a "clash of civilisations".
But Turkey, which began EU talks last year, faces resistance from some countries that believe it is too big, too poor and too culturally different to fit. Talks have virtually ground to a halt in recent months due to Cyprus's blocking tactics.
EU foreign ministers are due to decide on Dec. 11 whether to back the Commission's recommendation.
Cyprus has said the proposal is too weak as it sets no deadline for Turkish compliance, while Turkey's allies in the EU, including Britain and Sweden, say it is too tough.

NO HALT
Despite his obvious frustration, Erdogan stressed Turkey's continued commitment to the EU process.
"This existing recommendation (of the Commission) is unacceptable from our point of view but this does not mean ... our negotiations with the EU are coming to a halt," he said.
Analysts say Turkey could live with the proposed partial suspension, though any further toughening of the EU conditions would put the centre-right government under heavy pressure as elections loom next year amid rising nationalism.
Vanhanen, whose country is respected by the Turks as an even-handed "honest broker", tried to play down the problem.
"

I am convinced this is a temporary setback ... Turkey's EU train will not be derailed, the speed will simply slow for the time being,"

he told the same news conference.
He said a slowdown did not mean a delay in Turkey's EU entry. Ankara is not expected to join before at least 2015.
But Vanhanen also made clear the EU expected Turkey to abide by its legal commitments and open its ports and airports to traffic from all member states, including Cyprus.
Ankara has no diplomatic relations with the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government, instead backing breakaway Turkish Cypriots in the north of the divided island where it also keeps about 35,000 troops.
Turkey says it will only open its ports when the EU lifts trade restrictions against the Turkish Cypriots.
Erdogan recalled that the Turkish Cypriots backed a U.N. plan to reunite the island in a 2004 referendum, while the Greek Cypriots rejected it.
But Cyprus, represented by the Greek Cypriot government in the EU, has veto rights over the opening and closing of all chapters in the negotiation process.
((Writing by Gareth Jones and Paul de Bendern, editing by Myra MacDonald; Reuters Messaging: [email protected]; Tel: +90 312 292 7012))
Keywords: TURKEY EU/ENTRY
Friday, 01 December 2006 17:33:57RTRS [nL01932329] {C}ENDS