BRITAIN said last night a deal had been reached on the European Union’s response to Turkey’s refusal to recognise Cyprus.
“We’re very pleased to finally agree to a deal. We believe it’s a good and balanced text,” a Presidency spokesman told the Cyprus Mail.
Cyprus said it was examining the document.
“The British Presidency submitted a proposal. The government is examining it,” ambassador Nicos Emiliou told the Mail late last night. He said he had informed President Tassos Papadopoulos and that Cyprus would reply today.
It appears the counter-declaration was finally agreed in a package with the Framework of Negotiations for Turkey’s accession talks, due to start on October 3.
Sources close to the negotiations told the Mail it had been written into the minutes of last night’s emergency meeting of ambassadors (COREPER) that “member states agree none of the issues raised in the declaration will be reopened in the framework of the negotiations”.
The remaining sticking points were apparently ironed out in the extraordinary meeting called at 8.30pm last night – the second of the day.
The final draft satisfies Nicosia on its demand that Cyprus’ recognition does not come about with Turkey’s accession to the EU but is tied to its accession course.
The document agreed reads that: “Recognition of all member states is a necessary component of the accession process” and not “of Turkey’s accession” as was in the previous text.
Continued disagreement over Cyprus’ second demand that there be no connection between recognition of Cyprus by Turkey and the UN efforts for a settlement on the island was eventually overcome by changing the order of relevant paragraphs – six and seven – so this connection was not made. The wording was also tweaked to Nicosia’s satisfaction, EU sources said.
Provided Cyprus gives the green light this morning, the counter-declaration will today go to the Fisheries Council – the first European Council that happens to be meeting – as an ‘A point’, which means it will be formally agreed with no discussion.
Negotiations on the Framework will continue, but with the Cyprus issue closed and France and Greece also apparently satisfied after the Presidency yesterday presented some changes to the Framework, only Austria is still holding out for a statement that other options apart from accession could be offered to Turkey.
France had wanted reference to the need to the EU’s capacity to absorb new states to be strengthened. This was given greater priority in the latest draft, diplomatic sources said.
