by Maria Myles
Nicosia, Oct 26 (CNA) — British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has said that Britain has acted in line with its role as European Union president, with regard to Turkey’s accession course, pointing out that both Ankara and Nicosia have responsibilities which they are expected to observe.
On Thursday’s informal EU summit, he said Britain wants to achieve what he described as a “Europe model, social Europe” that would spend its money “wisely to the benefit of most of its citizens” in order to meet the global challenges.
In an interview with the CN?, he said EU values will play their part in the search for a settlement in Cyprus, something he hopes will make a difference in the solution of the problem.
He welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) London and Nicosia signed on October 25 and said President Papadopoulos has produced an action plan with regard to the MOU, adding that Britain and Cyprus enjoy a lot of close bonds which they wish to maintain through working together on common problems.
Prescott stressed that the EU does not and cannot accept that anyone can be treated any different in the process of negotiations and that it is essential that every nation recognizes the rights of the nations of each and every one member state.
Questioned on the UK stance with regard to Cyprus and Turkey’s accession course, he said London, as EU president, carried out those responsibilities vested in it by decisions taken unanimously by all EU 25 members.
“We did not find any disagreement with the rest of our colleagues in carrying out that responsibility, there was no difference between a British policy in this area and the British presidency,” he said, pointing out that “when you are in the EU and you have agreements, you carry out your responsibilities.”
Prescott noted also that Turkey is well aware of its own responsibilities in the Union. “They will be expected to observe them just as much as Cyprus has responsibilities,” he added.
Asked why Ankara has not yet recognized Cyprus so far, he noted the plethora of statements made on this issue and pointed out that Ankara has responsibilities as it wishes to join the EU.
“So far we have not seen that yet breached and hopefully we will not,” he said, adding that “we cannot accept that one nation cannot recognize another nation in the 25 nations of EU.”
Prescott said that “we will reach that when that happens but there are 35 chapters to be negotiated with Turkey and each and every one of them has to be agreed by each and every one member of the EU.”
Responding to questions, he said the EU cannot accept that anyone is treated any different in the process of negotiations to join the Union.
“It is essential that every nation has to recognize the rights of the nations of each one of us in the EU, when people sign up for the agreement, they know this is an obligation,” he said.
On Thursday’s EU informal summit, he said cooperation among all 25 members can make a great deal of difference to tackling crime, immigration, security, drug trafficking and unemployment.
“We will discuss about the social Europe, how to have full employment, maintain investment in education, health, social services so that we have what we call the social European model and how to adjust that to the global challenges that are coming from countries like India and China,” he said.
Prescott said EU funds must be spent “wisely to the benefit of most and not necessarily spend 40% on agriculture as we do at the moment”, adding that in December Britain will put forward proposals on the financial prospective with a view to balance economic prosperity and full employment and social justice.
Referring to the MOU, he acknowledged “some difficult times” in bilateral relations which should be restored and built upon in the traditional way that has existed between Cyprus and Britain for a long time.
“The MOU is for us to begin to get together and work out bilaterally how we can work together on common problems. President Papadopoulos produced an action plan and the first meeting to discuss exactly what we will do and how we will deliver on this MOU will take place in London before the end of January, we are off to a flying start,” he added.
Questioned on efforts to find a negotiated settlement in Cyprus, he said all parties agree that the UN should be part of that process but also noted that EU values will play a part in such efforts.
He said that some parties to the dispute are EU members and of talks and “one can hope that this may make a difference” because ‘at the end of the day these matters are settled by jaw-jaw not war-war.”
