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dmb
Joined: 12 Feb 2003
Posts: 8397
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 Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 2:57 pm Post subject: What problems will the French have with this? |
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6216498.stm
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Turkey 'will open up to Cyprus'
The port of Famagusta in northern Cyprus
Turkey wants the embargo on northern Cypriot ports ended
The EU is studying an offer by Turkey to open one port and one airport to traffic from Cyprus, Finland says.
The European Commission said the move, if confirmed, was "an important step" towards breaking the deadlock over Turkey's EU membership application.
There is no clear condition attached to the Turkish proposal, which was made verbally, the BBC's Sarah Rainsford reports from Istanbul.
EU foreign ministers are to discuss Turkey's troubled EU bid on Monday.
Then the EU heads of government will have to decide at a summit on 14-15 December.
Until now, Turkey has always insisted that the EU must first end the economic isolation of Turkish-controlled northern Cyprus.
Last week, the European Commission recommended freezing eight of the 35 chapters in Turkey's EU accession negotiations, because of a failure to make headway over Cyprus.
'Two-way deal'
Finland, the current EU president, said Turkey made the new approach on Wednesday.
Cyprus map
Europe diary: Cyprus split
A Finnish spokesman said it was not clear whether the offer met the EU's demands, and that details, like which port and airport were involved, or when they might be opened, were still to be defined.
Turkey has been urging the EU to end the isolation of northern Cyprus by allowing trade through Ercan airport and the port of Famagusta.
A Turkish foreign ministry source was quoted by Reuters as saying: "This is a two-way deal. We would require the same number of airports and ports to be opened on each side."
Cyprus will not agree to Ercan airport being opened to international flights as part of a compromise deal, Cypriot government spokesman Christodoulos Pashiardis told Reuters on Thursday.
Currently the only flights to northern Cyprus are routed via Turkey.
'Positive influence'
Finland, during its EU presidency, has been trying to break the deadlock over Cyprus, in order to keep Turkey's talks on track.
It has proposed that the first step towards Turkish recognition of Cyprus should be the opening of Turkish ports to Cypriot traffic, with the EU simultaneously allowing trade through northern Cyprus.
A European Commission spokeswoman said on Thursday it "considers that the Turkish initiative, if confirmed, is an important step towards the full implementation of the Ankara protocol". The protocol covers trade between Turkey and the EU's new members, including Cyprus.
"This should have a positive influence on the discussion concerning the management of the continuation of the accession negotiation with Turkey." |
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Laura777
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 101
Location: Istanbul Turkey
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| Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 7:02 am Post subject: |
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I read that Greek Cypriot has refused partial opening of the ports. They want it all.
"Turkey�s offer to EU president Finland has become clear: two ports will be unconditionally opened to Greek Cyprus and in return for the opening of Ercan Airport; an airport in Turkey will be opened to Greek Cypriot traffic. Moreover, the EU will be expected to take a step to lift isolations on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)." |
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Otterman Ollie
Joined: 23 Feb 2004
Posts: 1067
Location: South Western Turkey
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| Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 7:23 am Post subject: |
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| It seems a reasonable compromise to me ,opening a port and an airfield is surely enough for the Greeks to use ,just how much traffic do they expect from a place like Cyprus anyway it can't be that great .Once again the greedy Greeks are showing their true colours and E.U. bigwigs are too blinkered to see it .The southern side should not have been allowed to join the E.U until this issue was resolved ,allowing them to vote NO in that referendum without any consequences was a major mistake ,someone seriously screwed up there . |
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Laura777
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Posts: 101
Location: Istanbul Turkey
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| Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 7:29 am Post subject: |
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| I had hoped that Turkey wouldn't bow to EU pressure. |
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