Cyprus to block EU moves on Turkey

Cypriot Government Spokesman Christodoulos Pashiardis warned here today that Nicosia will not give its consent to the European Commission’s recommendation for Turkey‘s refusal to expand its Customs Union to the Republic of Cyprus.

Pashiardis said that the Cypriot government will intensify efforts for alterations to the Commission’s recommendation so that these represent an effective measure against Turkey.

”If we are not satisfied with the EU conclusions we will express our disagreement and the conclusions will not be valid,” Pashiardis said, adding that ”In such a case, we will revert and exercise our right not to permit the opening of chapters of Turkey‘s accession course.”

The Cypriot spokesman said that the Commission’s recommendation is not binding, adding that ”the final decisions is up to the General Affairs Council and the EU Summit.”

According to Pashiardis, the EU Foreign Affairs Council will be presented either with the Commission’s recommendations or with a altered recommendation or a new suggestion.

”In the time until the Foreign Affairs Council our side will intensify its efforts so that the final conclusions will force Turkey within a specific deadline to comply with its European obligations,” he added.

Pashiardis described the yesterday’s recommendations as ”flabby” and pointed out that the decisions does not provide for an effective mechanism to monitor Anakara’s compliance with its assumed obligations,

He described the yesterday’s recommendations as ”flabby” and pointed out that the decisions does not provide for an effective mechanism to monitor Anakara’s compliance with its assumed obligations, adding that the partial suspension of Turkey accession negotiations is not satisfactory.

”The absence of a regular timeframe for the review of the fulfillment of the Turkish obligations towards the Republic of Cyprus in combination with the fact that Turkey’s course is continuing even with a slower pace will encourage Turkey’s intransigence and will act as a counter-motive for the full and immediate with the EU’s demands,” said Pashiardis.

Furthermore, Pashiardis described as ”unfortunate” EU enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn remarks that Nicosia does not want tight timeframes because it asserted that with the Annan plan ”its back was against the wall”.

”Our reaction to tight timeframes relates with the dialogue for the solution of the Cyprus problem and the arbitration. In the case of Turkey, the timeframes are not related with dialogue, but exclusively concern the fulfillment of Ankara’s obligations towards the EU and the fulfillment of these obligations is not an issue of discussion but of an immediate and compelling necessity,” he added.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops 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, by opening its ports and airports to Cypriot vessels and aircraft.