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CYPRUS HAS NO PLANS FOR TURKEY VETO, WANTS SANCTIONS
Financial Mirror, Cyprus
Nov 23 2006
The government of Cyprus has no plans to impose a veto on Turkey's
European Union accession course, but said Thursday that member states
are considering the type of sanctions to be imposed if Ankara continues
to defy all protocols.
Turkey's refusal to recognize the Republic of Cyprus and its insistence
to prevent access to its ports and airports of Cypriot vessels, in
contravention of the Ankara Protocol, could result in the EU stopping
all accession talks with that country.
The Greek Cypriots also want the deserted town of Varosha to be
returned, initially under a United Nations mandate, in exchange for
allowing the Turkish-occupied port of Famagusta to gain international
recognition.
"The EU expects all applicants to implement the accession protocols,"
said President Tassos Papadopoulos after a meeting with the visiting
president of Armenia, Robert Kocharian.
"Nobody desires the interruption of talks with Turkey, but what is
being discussed (by other EU member states) is the type and height
of sanctions. The veto belongs to those who do not want to impose
sanctions on Turkey," Papadopoulos said.
"Turkey's relations with its neighbours also applies to Armenia,"
said Kocharian. He added that "as Turkey has desires to join the EU,
the process of its accession path interests us. This will also affect
relations between Armenia and Turkey."
Responding to an invitation to visit Armenia, Papadopoulos accepted
but said Kocharian should not expect an answer too soon, as "we have
some very important matters to deal with next month."
The Cypriot president has already shortened a visit to China so that he
will be back on the island on December 9, a few days after Turkey's
final deadline to comply with the Ankara protocol and a few days
before the EU leaders' meeting to continue or stop all accession talks.
"There is no difference in our policies with Armenia," Papadopoulos
said. "The Cyprus government will continue to support Armenia at
international fora and in bilateral relations."
The two presidents, accompanied by their foreign ministers and other
cabinet members, discussed ways to improve education, tourism, banking
and cultural cooperation and implement a number of agreements in 2007.
"In Cyprus there is a dynamic and high standard Armenian community,
Papadopoulos said, adding that "we continue will to utilize this
resource to further our cooperation in many fields. For that we have
promised every kind of support."
"One more protocol remains to be signed on the protection of
investments and this will complete our obligations on the economic
chapter," Kocharian concluded.
Financial Mirror, Cyprus
Nov 23 2006
The government of Cyprus has no plans to impose a veto on Turkey's
European Union accession course, but said Thursday that member states
are considering the type of sanctions to be imposed if Ankara continues
to defy all protocols.
Turkey's refusal to recognize the Republic of Cyprus and its insistence
to prevent access to its ports and airports of Cypriot vessels, in
contravention of the Ankara Protocol, could result in the EU stopping
all accession talks with that country.
The Greek Cypriots also want the deserted town of Varosha to be
returned, initially under a United Nations mandate, in exchange for
allowing the Turkish-occupied port of Famagusta to gain international
recognition.
"The EU expects all applicants to implement the accession protocols,"
said President Tassos Papadopoulos after a meeting with the visiting
president of Armenia, Robert Kocharian.
"Nobody desires the interruption of talks with Turkey, but what is
being discussed (by other EU member states) is the type and height
of sanctions. The veto belongs to those who do not want to impose
sanctions on Turkey," Papadopoulos said.
"Turkey's relations with its neighbours also applies to Armenia,"
said Kocharian. He added that "as Turkey has desires to join the EU,
the process of its accession path interests us. This will also affect
relations between Armenia and Turkey."
Responding to an invitation to visit Armenia, Papadopoulos accepted
but said Kocharian should not expect an answer too soon, as "we have
some very important matters to deal with next month."
The Cypriot president has already shortened a visit to China so that he
will be back on the island on December 9, a few days after Turkey's
final deadline to comply with the Ankara protocol and a few days
before the EU leaders' meeting to continue or stop all accession talks.
"There is no difference in our policies with Armenia," Papadopoulos
said. "The Cyprus government will continue to support Armenia at
international fora and in bilateral relations."
The two presidents, accompanied by their foreign ministers and other
cabinet members, discussed ways to improve education, tourism, banking
and cultural cooperation and implement a number of agreements in 2007.
"In Cyprus there is a dynamic and high standard Armenian community,
Papadopoulos said, adding that "we continue will to utilize this
resource to further our cooperation in many fields. For that we have
promised every kind of support."
"One more protocol remains to be signed on the protection of
investments and this will complete our obligations on the economic
chapter," Kocharian concluded.