Pressure mounts on Turkey to recognise Cyprus

The Austrian Presidency expects Turkey to recognise Cyprus by the end of 2006. The call comes as Turkey denies port access to a Cypriot ship and Greece urges a new UN initiative.

By the end of 2006, Turkey should recognise the Republic of Cyprus, Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel was reported as saying following his meeting on 21 February with Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos. The recognition should entail the opening by Turkey of its ports and airports to Cypriot vessels and planes. 

In response, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan recalled that the recognition of Cyprus was not part of the EU’s political criteria for Turkey’s membership, and said that it was “not ethical” for the EU to raise this issue.

Meanwhile, Cyprus accused Turkey on 22 February of violating the EU customs union agreement by refusing to allow a ship flying the flag of the Republic of Cyprus to enter a Turkish harbour. “With its attitude, Turkey once again shows that it does not convince of [sic] its commitment to proceed on its course of respecting its EU obligations,” said a Cypriot spokesman.

Having signed the additional protocol to the customs union agreement in July 2005, Turkey stressed that the move did not amount to the recognition of Greek Cyprus. To date, Ankara has refused to implement the protocol which provides for the opening of Turkish ports and airports. In January 2006, Turkey put forward a proposal which would make the opening of ports and airports conditional on the lifting of the Turkish Cypriots’ isolation. However, Cyprus rejected the proposal, arguing that it was an effort by Turkey to avoid its obligations.

The latest row over the Cypriot ship comes as Turkey is due to start the practical opening of chapters in its EU membership negotiation process. Cyprus has threatened to use its veto in the process.

In Athens, the newly appointed Greek foreign minister, Dora Bakoyani, said that the UN should draft a new initiative to revive the talks on Cyprus.

Wolfgang Schüssel has said that the Austrian Presidency “is doing everything in its power to support the current UN-sponsored process.”

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