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Cyprus Mail, Cyprus
July 14 2005
Customs protocol may be signed in `next few days'
By Myria Antoniadou in Brussels
THE PROTOCOL extending Turkey's customs union agreement to all 25
member states, including Cyprus, is now before the Turkish President
Ahmet Sezer and may even be signed within the next few days, the Mail
has learned.
Sources said Ali Babacan, Turkey's Finance Minister and chief
negotiator in the negotiations scheduled to open with the EU on
October 3, has been giving assurances to this effect during his
meetings in Brussels over the past couple of days.
Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn and Greek Environment Commissioner
Stavros Dimas are among the officials Babacan met here.
The signing of the Ankara Agreement's additional protocol is
difficult for the Turkish government as it is seen as a de facto
recognition of Cyprus, which is why Turkey is expected to issue a
statement saying this does not constitute recognition, something it
has consistently done in the past.
However, the Commission is said to have told Ankara it is its
prerogative to issue a unilateral statement, but warned it will react
if the Turkish government tries to give it an official standing.
During the meeting with Dimas, the Greek Commissioner told Babacan
that Athens is among the group of countries supporting Turkey's full
membership, but Ankara must carry on with the reforms. He also said
Turkey must maintain good neighbourly relations with all states.
In the meantime, the Vice Chairperson of the European Parliament -
Turkey delegation, has expressed dissatisfaction with Babacan's first
appearance before the Foreign Affairs Committee Tuesday.
In a written statement, giving a `flavour' of the difficulties
Turkish officials will have to face, German MEP Renate Sommer say's
Babacan `avoided talking about the most obvious shortcomings of
Turkey regarding the accession criteria such as the recognition of
Cyprus, the Armenian genocide, the status of the Kurds and the
adoption of the so-called law on foundations.'
`My question on the recognition of Cyprus according to international
law was even completely ignored,' she says, adding `obviously, Mr
Babacan thinks that he only has to negotiate with 24 Member States
about the accession of his country.'
Dr Sommers alleged his performance `was less than convincing and
bodes ill for the course of negotiations in the future,' and deemed
some of his remarks `completely unacceptable as he was `threatening'
Members of the European Parliament to abstain from critical questions
which may be perceived as `insults' by the Turkish people.'
`We are setting the rules, not Turkey", the member of the Christian
Democrat group says, adding it is `unfortunate' that Babacan `once
again categorically excluded the alternative of a privileged
partnership. Turkey will have to accept this solution as the only
viable perspective, otherwise this will fall back on Turkey in the
long run.'
Concluding, Sommer sent strong words of warning: `Without a radical
change in mentality, a full recognition of Cyprus according to
international law, an open discussion of the Armenian question, an
end to the war against the Kurds in the South-East of the country,
equal rights for women and unrestricted religious freedom including
the right to own property, we will continue to refuse Turkish
accession to the EU.'
July 14 2005
Customs protocol may be signed in `next few days'
By Myria Antoniadou in Brussels
THE PROTOCOL extending Turkey's customs union agreement to all 25
member states, including Cyprus, is now before the Turkish President
Ahmet Sezer and may even be signed within the next few days, the Mail
has learned.
Sources said Ali Babacan, Turkey's Finance Minister and chief
negotiator in the negotiations scheduled to open with the EU on
October 3, has been giving assurances to this effect during his
meetings in Brussels over the past couple of days.
Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn and Greek Environment Commissioner
Stavros Dimas are among the officials Babacan met here.
The signing of the Ankara Agreement's additional protocol is
difficult for the Turkish government as it is seen as a de facto
recognition of Cyprus, which is why Turkey is expected to issue a
statement saying this does not constitute recognition, something it
has consistently done in the past.
However, the Commission is said to have told Ankara it is its
prerogative to issue a unilateral statement, but warned it will react
if the Turkish government tries to give it an official standing.
During the meeting with Dimas, the Greek Commissioner told Babacan
that Athens is among the group of countries supporting Turkey's full
membership, but Ankara must carry on with the reforms. He also said
Turkey must maintain good neighbourly relations with all states.
In the meantime, the Vice Chairperson of the European Parliament -
Turkey delegation, has expressed dissatisfaction with Babacan's first
appearance before the Foreign Affairs Committee Tuesday.
In a written statement, giving a `flavour' of the difficulties
Turkish officials will have to face, German MEP Renate Sommer say's
Babacan `avoided talking about the most obvious shortcomings of
Turkey regarding the accession criteria such as the recognition of
Cyprus, the Armenian genocide, the status of the Kurds and the
adoption of the so-called law on foundations.'
`My question on the recognition of Cyprus according to international
law was even completely ignored,' she says, adding `obviously, Mr
Babacan thinks that he only has to negotiate with 24 Member States
about the accession of his country.'
Dr Sommers alleged his performance `was less than convincing and
bodes ill for the course of negotiations in the future,' and deemed
some of his remarks `completely unacceptable as he was `threatening'
Members of the European Parliament to abstain from critical questions
which may be perceived as `insults' by the Turkish people.'
`We are setting the rules, not Turkey", the member of the Christian
Democrat group says, adding it is `unfortunate' that Babacan `once
again categorically excluded the alternative of a privileged
partnership. Turkey will have to accept this solution as the only
viable perspective, otherwise this will fall back on Turkey in the
long run.'
Concluding, Sommer sent strong words of warning: `Without a radical
change in mentality, a full recognition of Cyprus according to
international law, an open discussion of the Armenian question, an
end to the war against the Kurds in the South-East of the country,
equal rights for women and unrestricted religious freedom including
the right to own property, we will continue to refuse Turkish
accession to the EU.'