Cyprus happy with protocol outcome

THE government said yesterday there was nothing negative for the Greek Cypriot side in the text of the customs union protocol due to be signed by Turkey before October 3.

Fears emerged over the weekend that Ankara had secured conditions to the text that would allow it to continue to ban Cypriot-flagged ships from docking at Turkish ports, and the prohibition of Cypriot airlines from Turkish air space.

The concerns emerged after a Turkish official said the European Commission and Ankara had agreed on the text of the protocol extending the country’s customs union to the 10 new European Union members, including Cyprus.

Turkish newspapers widely reported that the new deal excluded any mention in the protocol of opening Turkish ports and airports to Cypriot ships and planes. The protocol does not make any reference to Ankara’s desire to make it clear that signature does not imply recognition of the Republic of Cyprus, but this is expected to be stated verbally by Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan at the signing.

On Saturday, Foreign Minister George Iacovou said Ankara was merely posturing for domestic consumption, as recognition of Cyprus was a thorny issue in Turkey.

Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said yesterday the government was aware, and had been for several days, of the content of the protocol. He also said Cyprus and Greece were in agreement on the issue.

“The final text contains nothing negative regarding our position,” he said.
Chrysostomides said there was no mention of Turkey’s ports or airspace in the protocol. Neither did it contain any statement that Ankara did not recognise the Republic of Cyprus.

He said what mattered was the signing and implementation of the protocol by Turkey, which would be bound what it had signed.

“If this protocol the Turkish government is about to sign is not ratified by the Turkish National Council, then of course Turkey cannot proceed to the EU,” he said.
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The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.