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23 novembre 2004

NICOSIA, (Xinhuanet) — Cyprus Foreign Minister George Iacovou has outlined five demands for Turkey in connection with Ankara’s aspiration to join the European Union (EU), the semi-official Cyprus News Agency reported Sunday.

Speaking at Larnaca airport on his way to Brussels, the minister was quoted as saying that the five aspects relate to the need for Ankara to recognize the Republic of Cyprus, the change of the Turkish policy of vetoing Cyprus’ participation in various international organizations, the need for the "illegal" Turkish settlers in northern Cyprus to return to Turkey, the protection of Greek Cypriot property in northern Cyprus and the withdrawal of Turkish troops from the island.

Iacovou explained that all these issues had already been raised at previous EU meetings.

On Dec. 17, the EU leaders will decide whether to give Turkey adate for the start of accession negotiations.

Responding to questions on a possible veto by Cyprus, Iacovousaid this would be difficult.

He recalled that the veto France exercised in 1964 to block Britain’s entry into the EU as the only such example in the EU’shistory.

"However, it does look absurd for Turkey to recognize Cyprus’positive vote and the day after not to recognize the Republic of Cyprus," the minister added.

He said Turkey had recently exercised its right of veto on 12 occasions to halt Cyprus’ moves and participation in internationalfora.

On the issue of repatriating Turkish settlers now in the north of the island, Iacovou noted that if Europe wishes to curtail the influx of Turkish migrants into the EU, it will have to look at the problem of Turkish settlers in Cyprus too.

After the European Commission recommended to start full membership negotiations with Turkey earlier last month, the Cyprusgovernment gave a lukewarm response, stressing that more emphasis should be put on linking Ankara’s membership to reuniting the island.

The Greek Cypriots, who joined the EU on May 1, have the veto right when the bloc decides on whether to stat accession talks with Turkey at the Dec. 17 summit.