Cyprus rejects reports about embassy in Ankara

The Cyprus government has rejected suggestions that the Republic of Cyprus has made moves to open an embassy or set up a diplomatic mission in Turkey’s capital Ankara.

Rumours circulated earlier this week that Cyprus was considering opening diplomatic relations with Turkey if Turkey signs the protocol to extend its customs union with the EU to all new member states (including Cyprus).

Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides wondered why Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan was invited to comment a relevant Cypriot request, said “there is no such request”.

Some believe that, this is another move by Turkey to put Greek Cypriots in a tight corner: by pushing them to reject something they are not ready for, it helps to support the view the Greek Cypriots are the main obstacle to solving the Cyprus problem.

The Spokesman added that there are ways for Cyprus to monitor Turkey’s accession negotiations, even if there is no diplomatic mission in Ankara.