TURKEY will not be allowed to open its chapter on Transport during accession negotiations unless it opens its ports and airports to Cypriot traffic, EU Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot said yesterday.
Speaking at a news conference in Limassol with Communications and Works Minister Haris Thrasou on the sidelines of the Maritime Cyprus Conference, Barrot, who is also Vice President of the European Commission, said: “I personally believe the chapter on transport cannot be opened unless there is a change in the Turkish government’s behaviour.”
Turkey must successfully conclude negotiations on 31 ‘chapters’, or policy areas, with the EU before it can join the bloc. Although Ankara signed the protocol extending the EU customs union with the 10 new member states in July, it insists it will not recognise the Republic of Cyprus or open up to Cypriot traffic.
Thrasou said he had discussed the issue during a meeting with Barrot after yesterday’s conference session. “These restrictions violate the freedom of navigation, freedom of transit and freedom of access to ports and airports,” said Thrasou. The Minister said the Turkish ban, unilaterally imposed in 1987, had been hampering the growth of Cypriot shipping but the EU’s response last week to Turkey’s non-recognition of Cyprus had created a new impetus for Ankara, he said.
“With that declaration, all 25 member states have committed themselves closely to monitor and evaluate the full and unconditional implementation by Turkey of its obligations,” Thrasou said.
He said the government would continue to press for this within the EU and at other international organisations. “The lifting of the Turkish ban is inevitable,” he added.
Barrot said the EU was not going to sit back and allow Ankara to ignore its obligations under the protocol. “I will take advantage of my position in the Commission to write a letter to (Enlargement Commissioner) Mr Rehn as regards the obligations of Turkey to open its ports,” Barrot said.
He also said he had prepared a draft document to give to Thrasou to pass on to the Foreign Ministry.
Asked if the Commission would be exerting pressure on Ankara, Barrot said: “Definitely, and I have to remind Mr Rehn that the current situation endangers the customs union and I am not the only Commissioner to remind about the rules of the game.”
Barrot, however, declined to comment on a possible timetable for Turkey’s compliance. “It’s very difficult for the Turkish government to keep up this behaviour, but if there is no difference in Turkey’s behaviour, the Transport Chapter will be blocked,” he said. “The declaration of September 21 is very important and Turkey has to align to the behaviour of this declaration. It cannot ignore it. It clearly says Turkey should avoid any obstacles.”
In response to questions about the north, The Commissioner said that the current situation should be respected so that one day a solution could be found to the Cyprus problem. “This is a very delicate subject to deal with and the Commission is aiming for a comprehensive agreement,” he said. “The key for a solution to the Cyprus problem is in the hands of the two communities and the UN.”
