Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 06-12-11

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] EU FOREIGN MINISTERS - TURKEY

[01] EU FOREIGN MINISTERS - TURKEY

Speaking before the Council, Cypriot Foreign Minister George Lillikas referred in detail to the core issues as the provision for the reassessment of Turkey`s EU course and the chapters that are expected to freeze.

According to diplomatic sources, Lillikas described the reassessment clause as very important, stressing that without setting any time frame, Turkey will make no steps towards meeting its obligations.

Lillikas also asked for the increase of the number of chapters of accession negotiations that are expected to be frozen, taking into consideration the fact that Ankara has made no step towards normalizing its relations with the Republic of Cyprus, as clearly stated in the EU counterstatement of September 21st, 2005.

EU Commissioner Olli Rehn said he was not in favor of the idea to set a time frame for Turkeys compliance with its EU obligations and reiterated his stance for associating the solution of the Cyprus problem with Turkeys European obligations. He also referred to the need that the EU adopts the direct trade regulation that provides for direct trade between the Turkish Cypriot community and EU countries.

Following Rehns statements, the Foreign Ministers that back milder sanctions for Turkey, took the floor.

In their statements, Foreign Ministers of Belgium, Italy, Sweden and Latvia supported part of the Commissions recommendations, like the coupling of the Cyprus issue with Turkeys compliance and dismissed the proposal to set a time frame for Ankara, deeming at the same time that the chapters that would freeze should not be more than three.

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyiannis stressed the need that all EU25 agree on a clear message to Turkey.

Nobody wishes to close the EU door to Turkey, she said, adding though that Ankara should meet the obligations it voluntarily accepted.

She also described the reassessment clause as logical, since it aims to ascertain whether Turkey has met its obligations.

According to Bakoyiannis, the eight chapters that the European Commission recommends to be frïzen, do not cover the need to send a clear message since the recommendation does not bear in mind Turkeys non compliance with its obligation to normalize its relations with the Republic of Cyprus.

Bakoyiannis said that ``today in this room, we do not judge a member state, but a candidate state and the discussion should adapt to this reality.``

The Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state, has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied one third of its territory.

Turkey, a country aspiring to enter the EU, refuses to implement the Customs Union Protocol by opening its ports and airports to Cyprus.

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