Cyprus FM: Turkey must implement all EU obligations

Minister of Foreign Affairs Markos Kyprianou said here today that Turkey must comply with all its obligations towards all member states of the European Union.

In statements at Larnaka airport on his return from Luxembourg, Kyprianou added that Turkey must prove it is working in a positive manner for its democratisation and it behaves as it should towards the EU member states.

“Cyprus has given the green light to Turkey’s accession course because it believes a European Turkey will contribute positively to the solution of the Cyprus problem,” he explained.

Replying to questions, he said he did not expect the European Commission Vice President, Commissioner responsible for Enterprise and Industry Gunter Verheugen, to have a different view on Turkey’s accession to the European Union than the one he had expressed (that when the EU decided on the start of negotiations, everybody was aware of the situation in Cyprus).

''This is the position of the European Commission. Let us not forget that Mr Verheugen was Commissioner for Enlargement when the beginning of membership talks with Turkey was agreed at the European Council'', he noted.

Kyprianou stressed that Cyprus gave the green light to Turkey, ''but this is not without conditions''. Turkey, he stressed, must meet its obligations.

Referring to the EU General Affairs Council which met in Luxembourg, Kyprianou said that after moves by Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Malta, the draft conclusions refer to problems illegal immigration causes for these countries.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

President of the Republic Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since September 2008, with a view to reunite the island.