Turkey’s EU course does not depend on Cyprus alone

The continuation of Turkey’s EU course and the way this will be done, if the country does not comply with its EU obligations, does not depend solely on Cyprus but on all EU member states, President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos said here Sunday.
He was speaking on the sidelines of a reception he hosted at the Presidential Palace on the occasion of the International Volunteer Day.
Asked whether the EU will allow, without taking any substantial measures, the continuation of Turkey’s EU course, despite not having fulfilled its obligations and how the Republic of Cyprus sees this, the President replied “this does not depend on us alone, but on all member states”.
“We have stated our positions, have explained them, some understand them, while others although they do understand them, have their own interests, therefore I cannot predict nor make an evaluation”, the President said.
President Papadopoulos noted he was not aware of reports which said the UN Secretary General has asked the Finnish presidency of the EU to include in its proposals the opening of the illegal Ercan airport at the Turkish occupied village of Tympou.
“The newspapers write these things”, he said adding that “Famagusta is surely included” in the proposals.
Our positions as stated repeatedly by me and the Foreign Minister, as well as the Greek FM and Prime Minister, “remain the same”, the President remarked.
The Finnish Presidency of the EU is conducting negotiations to reach an agreement in order to prevent a crisis between the EU and Turkey.
The Cypriot government has stressed that the precondition for the success of the Finnish EU presidency’s initiative is the return of Varosha to its legitimate inhabitants.
Cyprus, which joined the EU in May 2004, has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.
Turkey, a country aspiring to become an EU member state, does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus and refuses to implement the EU-Turkey Customs Union Protocol, which provides for the opening of its ports and airports to Cyprus.