Cyprus tells Turkey to behave, otherwise to block chapters

by Maria Myles

Brussels, Dec 15 (CNA) — Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos has stressed that the decision to block a negotiating chapter, in Turkey‘s bid to join the European Union, would depend, among other things, on Ankara‘s behaviour as well as on existing circumstances at the time.

He also said that there is not sufficient time to open any negotiating chapter with Turkey before the end of the year.

”Our decision to block a chapter, for political and not for technical reasons, will depend on the circumstances at the time, on Turkey’s behaviour by then, the type of the negotiating chapter and the method this is submitted,” he pointed out, in statements to the press at the end of the first day of the European Council, which began here Thursday and concludes Friday.

He explained that all 7 chapters which Cyprus has already blocked have been examined as far as technical aspects are concerned.

He explained the procedures for the opening of a chapter saying that a specific chapter is examined, all member states scrutinise Turkey‘s legislation on the matter at hand compared to the EU acquis communautaire and questions are raised or objections are submitted.

Once this is finished, COREPER decides to send a letter to the candidate country in question inviting her to put forward its own negotiating positions on the questions raised by the member states. Upon receipt of the replies, the working group meets to determine its own negotiating position and then the chapter opens to negotiation.

The President said that all chapters open with unanimity at a governmental level and each chapter is examined on technical points, so-called benchmarks, and on Turkey‘s behaviour towards Cyprus.

”Each member state continues to maintain its right to object to the opening of a negotiating chapter,” he added.

Papadopoulos believes there is not sufficient time to open a chapter in Turkey’s accession course between now and the end of the year, adding that COREPER will meet on Wednesday and each member has the right legally and typically to block any chapter it wishes.

”From a political point of view, it would not be reasonable to say that 8 chapters have been blocked but none will open to negotiation,” he pointed out.

Replying to questions, he said during Thursday’s discussions at the summit, the name of Turkey was referred to five times in relation to enlargement but there was no mention of a special relation between Ankara and Brussels, as opposed to full membership.

In his remarks to the press, he said Thursday’s discussions covered immigration and he explained to his European partners that Cyprus is facing a serious problem because of illegal immigration through the country’s northern Turkish occupied areas.

EU leaders, he noted, recognise that they have to tackle the root of illegal immigration and it was decided that 4 regional offices will be set up to deal with immigration matters, but no venue was decided today.

The working dinner debate was taken up by the issue of enlargement and everybody agreed that future enlargement is an EU objective.

The leaders discussed measures to be taken to ensure that candidate countries meet EU criteria but also that the Union is in a position to absorb new members.

He said the German Chancellor Angela Merkel outlined her priorities and the procedure she intends to follow and her goals to rekindle interest in the ratification of the European Constitution. Germany takes over the EU rotating presidency January 1st, 2007.