E.U. MEMBER states yesterday approved their response to Turkey’s declaration not recognising the Republic of Cyprus, after Nicosia finally agreed to a compromise draft drawn up by the EU’s British presidency.
The final version of the counter-declaration includes two important changes for the Greek Cypriot side. Contested versions of the draft had linked recognition by Turkey of all member states to accession but the approved text links recognition to the “accession process”.
The second difference, relating to EU support for UN efforts towards achieving a comprehensive settlement, was changed to include “in line with relevant UNSCRs (UN Security Council Resolutions) and the principles on which the EU is founded.”
The move enshrines EU support for a solution based on these tenets, something the Greek Cypriot side has been insisting should be the main basis for any future solution.
The government yesterday said it was satisfied with the final text, and with the negotiating framework for Turkey, which the EU 25 is putting together for the start of Ankara’s accession talks on October 3.
Reports from Brussels yesterday said the final details of the Ankara road map still needed to be worked out in the face of opposition from Austria.
“The declaration has been approved… the negotiating framework still needs to be discussed,” one EU diplomat told Reuters in Brussels yesterday.
Another diplomat said the envoys were due to resume discussions either this week or next week.
The declaration was backed by envoys of all member states on Monday but Cyprus unexpectedly refused to rubber-stamp it on Tuesday, only to drop its objections yesterday.
Nicosia had demanded firmer deadlines for recognition by Turkey. But it bent to pressure from Britain, which feared a tougher stance might raise tensions in the talks with Ankara.
Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said yesterday the importance of the counter-declaration should not be underestimated. He said there had been a common stance among all member states that a response should be issued to Ankara’s unilateral declaration insisting it would not recognise Cyprus even though it had signed the protocol extending the customs union to the ten new member states.
Chrysostomides said that although many things could have been better, the response met Nicosia’s basic expectations.
“This is a unanimous, political EU decision, taken by all 25 member states and has equal importance as the other decisions of the European Councils, taken unanimously; any efforts to undermine it are not justified,” said Chrysostomides.
“After a hard, composed and painful political and diplomatic task it seems that we have a conclusion in a satisfying way, both as regards the counterstatement to Turkey’s declaration and the negotiating framework.”
Chrysostomides said that all member states had agreed that linking Turkey with EU norms would be a catalyst towards reaching a Cyprus settlement.
“It is hoped Turkey will fully implement the acquis communautaire and it is obvious what this means for Cyprus,” he said, adding that there were also a number of “security valves” with regard to Turkey’s accession course.
Chrysostomides said that under the final document Turkey had no grounds to refuse implementing the customs union protocol. The declaration includes the freedom of movement of goods, which are currently affected by the Turkish ban on Cypriot ships and aircraft.
According to Brussels reports, the negotiating framework says Turkey’s entry talks should be split into 35 policy areas.
Agreement on the road-map has so far been held up mainly by France and Austria, which demanded tougher conditions for talks. Negotiations are expected to last at least 10 years, if they prove successful at all.
Austria has long demanded that the negotiating framework should envisage a “privileged partnership” between the EU and Turkey, instead of full Turkish membership.
A third diplomat told Reuters before the negotiating framework was approved, the EU needed to find some “face-saving” formula for Austria. Turkey has refused to accept a “privileged partnership.”
