THE European Commission yesterday praised Turkey and urged Greece and Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos to show leadership after UN-brokered Cyprus peace talks ended without an agreement.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Guenter Verheugen insisted the negotiations had not failed and appealed to all Cypriots to back the UN peace plan to reunite the island before it joins the European Union on May 1.
“Over the past two days in Switzerland we have come very close to achieving that objective. This procedure certainly has not failed,” Verheugen told the European Parliament.
In a statement that could boost Turkey’s own bid to open EU accession talks next year, he said: “Turkey played a very constructive and co-operative role in the negotiations. I would like to say that expressly.”
The EU executive is due to recommend in October whether Turkey has met the political criteria to begin membership negotiations.
EU leaders have said the Ankara government’s active co-operation in a Cyprus settlement would improve its own prospects when they take a decision in December on whether to open entry talks.
The talks in Buergenstock, Switzerland, ended on Wednesday night with UN Secretary-general Kofi Annan saying he would put a peace plan to referenda of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots on April 24, despite criticism by Greece and the Greek Cypriots.
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Mehmet Ali Talat supported the plan.
“What we really have to do is convince the Greek Cypriot community that this most recent plan — the only plan — is in their interests as well. We need clear leadership and a strong political will,” Verheugen said.
“I would call on the Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders to do all they can to try and persuade the population of the island that the present plan represents the best and most balanced solution that can possibly be achieved,” he said.
“The alternative is this plan or nothing, no solution at all, and I don’t think in the near future we’ll have another opportunity to arrive at a solution to this issue,” he said.
Whether or not voters approve a peace agreement, Cyprus will join the EU on May 1.
Verheugen said the Annan plan provided for a viable state speaking with a single voice and could be accommodated without permanent exceptions or opt-outs from EU law.
