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EU-Turkey tensions resurface over NATO summit

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Published 03 May 2012
17 comments
Tags
Cypriot EU presidency, Cyprus, NATO, Northern Cyprus, Turey

Turkey has indicated its intention to veto the EU's participation in the upcoming NATO summit in an apparent sign of growing disenchantment with the Union before the rotating EU presidency is taken up by Cyprus, a country that Turkey refuses to recognise.

According to the Turkish daily Zaman, Ankara said it would block EU participation at the summit unless the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is also allowed in the room. NATO leaders are due to meet in Chicago 20-21 May.

The stand-off appears as an embarrassment for the alliance because European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President José Manuel Barroso have already received invitations to attend the opening dinner, reports say.

The EU as an entity needs an invitation to attend NATO events. Turkey, a NATO member since 1952, has the power to veto the EU's participation.

The EU has acquired new political weight with the Lisbon Treaty. It is also participating in efforts for the reconstruction and democratisation of Afghanistan, and its role is expected to grow after NATO's security operation ends in 2014.

The Turkish daily Hürriyet quoted an unnamed Turkish official saying that Ankara did not name the OIC as a condition for the EU's participation.

But the source seemed to confirm that Ankara would oppose an EU participation in Chicago.

"NATO should not waste time trying to invite more representatives from outside organisations," the source was quoted as saying. The source also praised the OIC, a bloc of 57 countries, for helping NATO in Libya "to no lesser extent than the EU".

Turkey claims that until the Republic of Cyprus, which it doesn't recognise (see background), became an EU member in 2004, its NATO relations had been going quite well. Ankara has since then been preventing NATO from exchanging information with the EU on the grounds that Cyprus, a non-aligned country, is not a member of the Partnership for Peace – a NATO programme seen as stepping stone to alliance membership.

Cyprus is to assume the six-month rotating EU presidency on July. Turkey has warned it would freeze relations with the Union during this period, and that it would consider annexing northern Cyprus, which is technically EU territory.

Turkey reportedly has also blocked Israel’s participation at the Chicago summit, highlighting its determination to prevent its new foe from cooperating with the alliance following the Israeli attack in May 2010 on a flotilla carrying aid and pro-Palestinian activists to the Gaza Strip. Nine Turkish civilians were killed in the attack.

Turkey insists that NATO-Israel relations cannot be restored until Turkish-Israeli relations are normalised.

Next steps: 
  • 20-21 May: NATO summit in Chicago
  • 1 July - 31 Dec. 2012: Cyprus holds the rotating EU presidency.
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COMMENTS

  • EUR 542 için

    By :
    inci
    - Posted on :
    03/05/2012

  • The position of Turkey is utterly disgusting, and therefore the EU MUST stop any financial aid to Turkey asap! The Republic of Cyprus will undertake the lead of the union's council thus my recommendation is all EU nations to impose financial and political sanctions against Turkey. The EU council and EU member states, should get in touch with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation for a case review of Turkey's membership. A member state of NATO cannot act contrary to the European Union or its member states. Turkey is not threating The Republic Cyprus, but is rather threating with military action against the European Union, and seeks to destroy and delay the mechanisms of the union, setting the union in financial and political danger. What is more important here is that Turkey is threating the presidency of the union's council. The United States an ally to the European Union and its member states, should strip Turkey off their NATO membership. For a member state to seek an attack on EU territory, with a view to attack the institutional function of the EUC is unacceptable and seeks to harm not just the EU, but also its allies. Turkey attempts to impose terms to the European Union. How funny is that now?+
    An actual interference on the presidency of the union, should indefinitely mean financial and political sanctions against Turkey, and to be kicked out of NATO.
    Turkey has been threating a number of EU and Nato states, which include France (Turkey has threatened France with a 'total rupture', and defamed publicaly President Nicholas Sarkozy, has also threatened to 'destroy' Israel , has threatened Cyprus (still threating to freeze mechanisms of the Union and halt its presidency, United Kingdom (and the Duchess of York and members of the Royal Family. The Turks demanded members of the Royal Family to be sent in a Turkish jail, and that was last year), threats against US workers of Noble Energy and they have also publically defamed Germany and Angela Merkel.
    Now Turkey seeks retaliation against a number of NATO and EU member states. An attack from Turkey would destabilise not just the Middle East, but the function of the union. Turkey needs to be stripped off of any political, military and financial aid and sanctions to be imposed. Turkey is a country that cannot and should not be included in any policital negotiations.
    Turkey, the fifth-largest buyer of Iranian oil has teamed up militarily with Iran. Turkey should be kicked out of NATO.

    By :
    Turkey Out of NATO
    - Posted on :
    03/05/2012

  • Je suis d'accord. La Turquie devrait être mis à la porte de l'alliance. L'Europe ne peut pas être l'otage de la Turquie!

    By :
    Ambroise
    - Posted on :
    03/05/2012

  • Turkey is a regional bully. There human rights record is the worst. They can't demand to host the EU hostage. The EU should stop financing these clowns, then we will see who will veto who.

    Kick em out of Nato...

    By :
    James S.
    - Posted on :
    03/05/2012

  • Turkey a regional bully with their human rights record being one of the worst. They cant demand to hold the EU hostage. The EU should stop any financial aid to Turkey. Kick em out of Nato...

    By :
    James S.
    - Posted on :
    03/05/2012

  • Die Türkei sollte nicht in irgendwelchen Verhandlungen aufgenommen werden.

    By :
    Heinrich
    - Posted on :
    03/05/2012

  • Texas Governor Rick Perry has long suggested that it is time for Turkey to be kicked out of NATO, saying the country was being ruled by a terrorist state. Turkey is not fit for the Union i guess. EU's financial aid should come to an end for Turkey. The Eu should also negotiate for Turkey to be kicked out of Nato. Rick Perry was very right and sensible, and he will find all the support he needs in the upcoming elections.

    By :
    Proud to be American
    - Posted on :
    03/05/2012

  • If ,Turkey would " freeze relations with the Union " and "would consider annexing northern Cyprus" That would certainly spark confrontation with Greece.

    In the case (of war with Greece and Cyprus), Turkey would risk lot to be stricken by Russia, defending NATO country Greece against another NATO country Turkey...
    NATO would fall apart as consequence of that war.
    As Nike would say ;"Just do it!"(Erdogan)

    By :
    Nike Erdogan
    - Posted on :
    03/05/2012

  • "technically eu territory"?
    eu has no authority in turkish republic of northern cyprus? this is the price eu has to pay because they admitted greek-cypriots illegally as the representative of the whole island.
    can anybody out there see the ridiculous position that the whole world admits that greek and turkish sites have to agree on a solution and then the same world claims it is ok to talk only to greek site as representative of the turkish site as well.
    eu states does not like the idea of an independent turkish-cypriot state in mediteranean does not mean that the turkish-cypriots are not entitled to it.

    By :
    anonymous
    - Posted on :
    03/05/2012

  • "turkey out of nato"?
    ridiculous. that article is cheapest form of defamation attempt which has no touch with realities of how much turkey has been contributing to nato defense system.
    you are not able to see the hostility run by the tiny greek-cypriot entity via alliances with stronger powers and via opening its territories to such powers. have you ever thought why russia has been one of the strongest defenders of greek-cypriot thesis in un?
    as to france, you are so blinded with your self-righteousness that you cannot see the diplomatic war waged by france on turkey which sometimes go so far that there is only one step left before opening a discussion about the borders of turkish state.
    your comments about cyprus and israel will only be applauded by people who have no memory of history and no knowledge of the regional politics. you cannot see the hostility from greek-cyprus and that turkey has all the right to not cooperate with such an entity on military terms. and worst of all, this is a problem created by your smart eu politicians admitting cypriots into eu. well, I forgive them, the alternative was a cypriot island armed by russian bases and they chose the lesser devil.

    By :
    anonymous
    - Posted on :
    03/05/2012

  • "turkey regionally bully"
    where did you acquire your political kowledge? have you ever thought why UK and USA have military bases in Cyprus, and Russia in Syria.
    have you thought how an entity like Greek-Cyprus can make a deal only with Israel and divide the eastern mediteranean between themselves, before there ever is an agreement with the turkish-cypriots.
    and yes, turkey's human rights record is an argument that you cannot lose. what do you think when EU countries go and bomb countries simply becase they don't agree with the power distirbuiton in those countries. or because they don't like whom the government makes business agreements with instead of them. but, yeah, your media teaches you to talk about turkey's human rights record and nothing else.

    By :
    anonymous
    - Posted on :
    03/05/2012

  • "A member state of NATO cannot act contrary to the European Union or its member states"

    Why can't it? Why shouldn't Turkey slap the EU back when the EU has harmed Turkey so much by protecting Hellenic Cypriots as if they are the fathers of mankind. To Hell with Europeanism!

    The twit talking about Perry - Yes keep it up you redneck, you'll get your come-up-ins oneday.

    Forget Cyprus, Its the Greeks who should be crushed - all their agents/diaspora outside Greece are taking it too far.

    By :
    EU_DIE
    - Posted on :
    04/05/2012

  • Unbeliavable how a country that is willing to be accepted as a member to EU, that does not recognize a EU member... who the hell they are?.........
    It shows to the world how Turkey can be a problem.. because in their culture they are used to be bullys, especially the present government..
    Bottom line is that They are a Muslims and they will always will be on the side of Muslim, since they have the veto power..They will always create problems.
    Kick them out of Nato, no financial help, lets who needs who????
    EU, should be stupid accepting them as a full member.

    By :
    Robert devlet
    - Posted on :
    04/05/2012

  • Why Turkey is bully? When Greeks vetoe Turkey opening EU accession chapter, they are not bully, but Turkey is!!!

    Selective attack on Turkey is racism.

    France, Austria and Greeks are true bullies an racists.

    Practice what you preach Europe. Equal treatment for all regardless of religion or ethnicity.

    Europe is racist...

    By :
    Ali
    - Posted on :
    07/05/2012

  • A multipolar era has emerged and in this era we can expect a battle of not only values but also countries whose leaders would like to obtain another type of status in international affairs. The case in point are countries such as Turkey which seek a greater role in regional and global affairs. The issue of Cyprus is only a tool highlighting that Turkey believes its opinion and international standing matter more with a stronger economic clout. The situation is comparable with the behaviour of Greece on the name dispute issue with Skoplje, which was evident within NATO corridors. This paradoxical situation about Turkey and EU attending NATO summit in Chicago is an example of sub'regional politics taking yet again a global dimension, and we can only expect more of it in the future. It is a multipolar world, afterall.

    By :
    Nina Markovic ANUCES
    - Posted on :
    07/05/2012

  • Hello all,

    After reading the news, I tought that I would find out some comments on the EU's faults about the Cyprus problem, or least some comments "balanced". However, it is sad to see this ignorant comments probably from the young people who are very interested in EU matters. Those people have to first look the source of the problem. I mean the cyprus problem. Read the Agenda 2000 where EU council declares that EU will never accept a country who has border problems with its neighbours. unforunately Cyprus is accepted to EU membership as the representative of whole island.
    Secondly, PLEASE people read a little bit what happened just 1 month before the Cyprus's official membership to EU realized. UN drafted a plan called Anna Plan. This plan was officially supported by EU. The turkish side accept the plan. Greek side refused. Anyhow, turkish side punished, greek side promoted.
    As a result of the EU's unfair actions, today's problems are inevitable. Finally as a Turkish citizen believe in Europe, I wish EU-Turkey relations will not be harmed anymore because of EU's past unfair decisions. In addition to that, I kindly ask you people here writing comments, please loose your biases and just read a bit from each side of the problems before making a decision....

    By :
    ismail
    - Posted on :
    12/05/2012

  • EU is a lost cause..I dont get why Turks are trying to get in that club..and its good Turks showing those arrogant Europeans the middle finger

    By :
    Crossfade
    - Posted on :
    17/05/2012

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Background: 

Despite repeated efforts under the auspices of the UN to bring the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities to the negotiating table, the island has remained divided since 1974.

Hopes for reunification were raised in 2002 when then-UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan suggested a two-part federation with a rotating presidency.

In an April 2004 referendum, the Greek Cypriots rejected - and the Turkish Cypriots approved - the UN-sponsored unity plan. The plan's failure disappointed EU officials, who had agreed to allow Cyprus to join the EU that year partly in the hope that doing so would encourage a solution. In May 2004, the Greek Cypriot-controlled 'Republic of Cyprus' became a full member of the EU.

At their December 2004 summit, EU leaders agreed to open accession talks with Turkey on 3 October 2005. One of the conditions specified was for Ankara to extend a 1963 association agreement with the EU's predecessor, the European Economic Community, to the Union's 10 new member states. This group included the Greek Cypriot state, which is not recognised by Turkey.

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