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TURKEY MUST OPEN PORTS TO GREEK CYPRUS: EU COMMISSIONER
Tert.am
11:57 â~@¢ 16.03.10
Turkey must normalize relations with Greek Cyprus, the European
Union's new enlargement commissioner Stefan Fule told reporters in
Ankara on March 15 during his first official visit to EU-candidate
Turkey, according to the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review.
"I had the opportunity to underline the importance the EU attaches to
the need for Turkey to fully implement the additional protocol and
normalize its relations with Cyprus," Fule told reporters during a
joint conference with Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
Ankara is determined to keep its air and ports closed to EU-member
Greek Cyprus unless the EU lifts sanctions on Turkish Cyprus,
diplomatic sources said. Turkey also refuses to recognize the Greek
Cypriot government until the divided island reaches a final settlement.
"We agree that a comprehensive settlement on Cyprus would be a historic
breakthrough to the benefit of both Turkey and the EU," Fule said.
"I've confirmed my commitment to the accession process and to
seeing Turkey become a member of the EU," Fule said, noting that the
credibility of the accession talks in respect of mutual commitments
was discussed.
Due to the deadlock in the ports issue, the EU froze 8 of 35 accession
negotiation chapters in 2006.
Tert.am
11:57 â~@¢ 16.03.10
Turkey must normalize relations with Greek Cyprus, the European
Union's new enlargement commissioner Stefan Fule told reporters in
Ankara on March 15 during his first official visit to EU-candidate
Turkey, according to the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review.
"I had the opportunity to underline the importance the EU attaches to
the need for Turkey to fully implement the additional protocol and
normalize its relations with Cyprus," Fule told reporters during a
joint conference with Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
Ankara is determined to keep its air and ports closed to EU-member
Greek Cyprus unless the EU lifts sanctions on Turkish Cyprus,
diplomatic sources said. Turkey also refuses to recognize the Greek
Cypriot government until the divided island reaches a final settlement.
"We agree that a comprehensive settlement on Cyprus would be a historic
breakthrough to the benefit of both Turkey and the EU," Fule said.
"I've confirmed my commitment to the accession process and to
seeing Turkey become a member of the EU," Fule said, noting that the
credibility of the accession talks in respect of mutual commitments
was discussed.
Due to the deadlock in the ports issue, the EU froze 8 of 35 accession
negotiation chapters in 2006.