Staff reporter
EUROPEAN Union enlargement commissioner Guenter Verheugen yesterday urged Turkish Cypriots to take the lead from Ankara in its goodwill ties with traditional rivals Athens.
"A political breakthrough would be needed like Greek-Turkish relations," said Verheugen at a bi-communal press conference in Nicosia. AThis should be seen by both sides on how to come to together, co-operate and tackle difficult issues."
The 55-year-old envoy said that if the Turkish Cypriots did not open the window of opportunity created by the post-Helsinki (EU summit) climate, they would be left out while the motherland reaped the rewards.
"Already a situation exists where the Greeks in Greece are members, the Turks in Turkey are preparing for full membership and the Greek Cypriots are negotiating members, we’ve only one side left. It’s in no one’s interest to leave it like this," said Verheugen.
The German commissioner underlined that the island’s EU accession would benefit both sides but only if the Turkish Cypriots joined the negotiation teams — which they have so far failed to do.
"Cyprus can only speak with one voice, no separate negotiations are possible, I made that clear. The main initiative must be taken by the two sides," he said.
Verheugen said the money was already available to implement joint projects to benefit both communities but the will to work together must exist. "There is a deep conviction that accession to the EU and membership would be the best way to give security and prosperity to the people of Cyprus."
He said this would be the message to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash — whom he will invite to join the island’s accession process — when they met later last night.
However, the EU official offered some self-help philosophy and realism to the divided communities. "You should not wait for wise people to come from elsewhere to tell you how to solve your problem — it’s your responsibility."
Verheugen, wrapped up his two-day Cyprus visit by giving the island’s accession bid top marks. The EU commissioner met Cyprus’ chief negotiator with the EU George Vassiliou earlier yesterday and said afterwards: "Cyprus is the leader with eleven chapters provisionally closed. The process is very well on track; there are no particular problems and I told Mr Vassiliou that he can be sure that the commission is strongly committed to continue the process of accession based on the principles of speed and quality.@
Vassiliou told reporters that Verheugen had assured him that the EU intends to go ahead with the enlargement without any delays. "He stressed very clearly that there are now 12 and not six candidate countries and each candidate would be judged on its own merit," Vassiliou added.
The results of the Helsinki EU summit created a "window of opportunity" for Cyprus which the EU will try to use, Verheugen said after meeting House President Spyros Kyprianou.
Kyprianou described Verheugen as " a very important personality" with "clear views and a determination to help," noting the EU commissioner’s goal is to "speed up the accession negotiations" and at the same time provide help for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus question.
He said they discussed President Clerides’ proposal for the Turkish Cypriot participation in the accession negotiations.
