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Turkey says could annex north if Cyprus stays split
Reuters
March 4, 2012
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey would consider annexing northern Cyprus
if talks between Greek and Turkish Cypriots failed to reach a deal on
reunification of the island, Turkey's European Affairs Minister Egemen
Bagis told a Turkish Cypriot newspaper.
Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias and his Turkish Cypriot
counterpart Dervis Eroglu have made little progress in negotiations to
reunite the island, divided in 1974, since the United Nations
persuaded them to renew efforts late last year.
Bagis told Turkish Cypriot newspaper Kibris that Turkey would support
any agreement reached by the two sides, but said that was only one of
several possible outcomes.
"Reunification under a deal that (the two) leaders could reach,
creation of two independent states after an agreement between the two
leaders if they are unable to reach a deal for reunification, or
annexation of the KKTC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) to
Turkey," Bagis told Kibris during an interview in London.
"These are all the options on the table."
Many Turkish Cypriots oppose the notion of annexation. Turkey's NTV
news channel quoted Ozkan Yorganciogly, leader of the main opposition
Republican Turks Party (CTP), as saying the idea was unacceptable.
Cyprus, governed by a Greek Cypriot administration and a member of
the European Union, has used the dispute to slow Turkey's efforts to
join the bloc.
Frustrated by the lack of progress, Turkey has said if there was no
solution by July 1 when Cyprus takes over the European Union
presidency, it would suspend dialogue until the presidency passes to
another EU member in 2013.
Turkey has stationed troops in the north since invading in 1974,
after a coup in Cyprus orchestrated by a military junta in Athens.
Northern Cyprus is only recognized only by Ankara and its only air
link is with Turkey. It is also excluded from international sport,
finance and trade, and it has been heavily subsidized by Ankara.
The dispute took a serious turn last September when Cyprus allowed
gas exploration drilling to commence. That prompted Turkey to dispatch
naval ships to the Eastern Mediterranean, saying that any gas found
would belong to all Cypriots.
(Writing by Simon Cameron-Moore; Editing by Ben Harding)
Turkey says could annex north if Cyprus stays split
Reuters
March 4, 2012
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey would consider annexing northern Cyprus
if talks between Greek and Turkish Cypriots failed to reach a deal on
reunification of the island, Turkey's European Affairs Minister Egemen
Bagis told a Turkish Cypriot newspaper.
Greek Cypriot leader Dimitris Christofias and his Turkish Cypriot
counterpart Dervis Eroglu have made little progress in negotiations to
reunite the island, divided in 1974, since the United Nations
persuaded them to renew efforts late last year.
Bagis told Turkish Cypriot newspaper Kibris that Turkey would support
any agreement reached by the two sides, but said that was only one of
several possible outcomes.
"Reunification under a deal that (the two) leaders could reach,
creation of two independent states after an agreement between the two
leaders if they are unable to reach a deal for reunification, or
annexation of the KKTC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) to
Turkey," Bagis told Kibris during an interview in London.
"These are all the options on the table."
Many Turkish Cypriots oppose the notion of annexation. Turkey's NTV
news channel quoted Ozkan Yorganciogly, leader of the main opposition
Republican Turks Party (CTP), as saying the idea was unacceptable.
Cyprus, governed by a Greek Cypriot administration and a member of
the European Union, has used the dispute to slow Turkey's efforts to
join the bloc.
Frustrated by the lack of progress, Turkey has said if there was no
solution by July 1 when Cyprus takes over the European Union
presidency, it would suspend dialogue until the presidency passes to
another EU member in 2013.
Turkey has stationed troops in the north since invading in 1974,
after a coup in Cyprus orchestrated by a military junta in Athens.
Northern Cyprus is only recognized only by Ankara and its only air
link is with Turkey. It is also excluded from international sport,
finance and trade, and it has been heavily subsidized by Ankara.
The dispute took a serious turn last September when Cyprus allowed
gas exploration drilling to commence. That prompted Turkey to dispatch
naval ships to the Eastern Mediterranean, saying that any gas found
would belong to all Cypriots.
(Writing by Simon Cameron-Moore; Editing by Ben Harding)