Tag: EU presidency

Bleak EU future if Turkey does not act on Cyprus

He made it clear that as long as Turley refuses to implement its obligations these chapters cannot be opened.

FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE

• Sun, Nov 06, 2011

Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou has warned Turkey that if it continues to refuse to implement its EU obligations towards Cyprus, the opening of its accession chapters, frozen since December 2009, is not possible.

Invited to comment on statements made by Turkeys Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis reiterating Turkeys position on the assumption of the EU Presidency by Cyprus, Stephanou said that the successful achievement of this national target would upgrade the status of Cyprus both within the EU and the wider international arena.”

The Republic of Cyprus will successfully exercise the Presidency of the European Council in the second half of 2012 thus proving that even small countries like Cyprus, can run EU presidency efficiently, he said.

Turkey has threatened to freeze relations with the European Union if Cyprus is given the EU presidency in 2012.

He added that the EU must deal with statements made by the Turkish officials in relation to Cyprus EU Presidency, noting that the EU must warn Turkey that such behaviour damages its own European perspective and that it acts in a way that causes tension in the region, which is trying to bring into the European area.

Invited to comment on statements made by Turkeys Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis urging the EU to persuade Cyprus to open Turkey’s EU Energy chapter, Stephanou said that energy is one of the chapters Cyprus has ‘frozen’ in December 2009 because Turkey refuses to implement its obligations towards Cyprus.

He made it clear that as long as Turley refuses to implement its obligations these chapters cannot be opened.

Cyprus position on this issue is that the energy chapter cannot be opened as long as Turkey threatens and is being provocative in relation to the explorations and efforts made by Cyprus to locate and exploit hydrocarbon deposits in its exclusive economic zone.

The EU will be the first to benefit if natural gas deposits are found and the Republic of Cyprus proceeds with their exploitation because as an EU member state, Cyprus can supply energy to the EU.

He also said that the issue of natural gas could serve as an incentive to solve the Cyprus problem, adding that Turkey could also benefit through partnerships and synergies with the reunited Federal Republic of Cyprus, that is if it decides to cooperate and work towards a Cyprus settlement based on UN resolutions that will end occupation of Cyprus.

Unfortunately, he concluded, Turkey continues to repeat itself, to threaten and be provocative.

(KYPE)

via Bleak EU future if Turkey does not act on Cyprus.

November 7, 2011
Turkey Doesn’t Want Greek Cyprus Taking EU Council Presidency

The Turkish government declared that it will suspend its relations with the European Union if the Greek half of Cyprus takes the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union scheduled in July 2012 without first solving the reunification issue between the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots. Turkey’s Prime Minister Erdogan stated that Turkey does not recognize Cyprus as a nation.

The modern history of Cyprus starting in the 1970′s is strife with military violence and political struggles that resulted in a Greek coup d’etat, a Turkish invasion and the formation of a North Turkish state and a Southern Greek state. These events led to a two-way movement of refugees on the island.

The movement of civilians in recent times has caused many controversially claiming ‘family land’ and other such land that was supposed to be inherited decades ago.

Both sides on the relatively small island have caused their shares of troubles between the European world and Turkey.

The island countries have been the site of United Nations interventions and the heavy presence of more than 30,000 Turkish troops and the Greek Cypriot National Guard effectively cutting the island into two entirely different ethnic and political camps.

The Greek side became recognized by the European Union enjoying more benefits, such as the chance to preside as EU president, than its Turkish neighbor.

Talks between the two sides in the past have failed or faltered but were rejuvenated in 2008. Both sides in the past have tried reunification plans including the Annan Plan which failed in part because of the Greek Cypriot’s admant rejection of the plan.

(Cover Photo: European Community)

via Turkey Doesn’t Want Greek Cyprus Taking EU Council Presidency | iNewp.com.

October 17, 2011
Cyprus Signals Block On Turkey EU Energy Chapter

Cyprus supports the opening of Turkey’s EU Energy chapter but only if it signs the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and normalises relations with the island, says Commerce Minister Praxoulla Antoniadou.

Since the chances of this happening anytime soon are slim, it’s safe to say that the government is signalling that it will block this chapter in Turkey’s EU-membership negotiations.

“At this point of time, Cyprus is unfortunately confronted with the gunboat diplomacy of Turkey in the area, contesting the sovereign rights of the Republic…” said Antoniadou at an informal meeting of EU Energy ministers.

Until Turkey normalises its relations with Cyprus, the government resists the opening of its energy chapter. Antoniadou counters the argument that Turkey could enhance the EU’s energy supply security with the position that there is no direct link between this and the accession negotiations of a candidate country.

“The role that a candidate country could potentially play in the EU’s security of energy supply cannot influence the course of her accession negotiations by offsetting the need that the candidate country fulfils her obligations,” she says.

Alternatively, if Turkey contributes to the peace process by supporting the Turkish-Cypriot leadership to reunify Cyprus on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, then a bright horizon of peace, cooperation and economic growth will open for the Eastern Mediterranean area, says Antoniadou.

In its latest assessment of Turkey’s accession negotiations, the EU said that they have “regrettably not moved into any new areas for over a year.”

“The Commission is concerned about the recent tensions in relations between Turkey and Cyprus. A new positive agenda in EU-Turkey relations needs to be developed, to enable a more constructive relationship based on concrete steps in areas of common interest,” says the latest conclusions on the issue from the EU.

Turkey and Cyprus are locked in a tense military and political confrontation over undersea gas-and-oil exploration rights in the waters around the island. Since Noble Energy started drilling in Block 12 in Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on September 19th, Turkey has sent its own seismic research ships accompanied by warships. It plans to explore for hydrocarbons in partnership with the Turkish-Cypriot political leadership.

Parallel to this confrontation, Turkey is also jockeying for position with Egypt and has proposed building a gas pipeline between the two countries.

Egypt has already signed a bilateral agreement to delimit the maritime borders with Cyprus and cooperate on developing hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation. Egypt recently re-confirmed its commitment to its agreement with Cyprus, saying it would ‘undoubtedly’ implement the deal, according to Egyptian foreign minister Mohamed Kamel Amr in comments reported by Athens news agency.

In earlier statements, Ankara said that Cyprus’ maritime border agreements with its neighbors Lebanon, Egypt and Israel are null and void.

Infringement on sovereign rights

Turkey’s seismic research activities in Cyprus waters fly in the face of the government’s sovereign right over the island’s EEZ as it does not have official permission to conduct research for oil and gas reserves. Ankara disputes this right on the basis that the government does not represent the Turkish Cypriots. Turkey has signed an agreement with the ‘TRNC’ to delimit maritime borders and explore for hydrocarbons. The ‘TRNC’ is only recognised by Turkey, and the government promptly responded by saying the agreement was illegal.

As the only internationally-recognised government on the island, the leadership has gone ahead with a contract with Noble Energy to explore for hydrocarbons in Block 12, an area which borders Israel’s gas field Leviathan.

The government’s right is upheld by the EU, Greece, Israel and Russia, all of which have made statements condemning Turkey’s threats towards the island and supporting its right to exploit resources in its sovereign territory.

Defence ministry sources said that if Turkey proceeds with actual exploration for undersea hydrocarbons, the government’s approach will be different. For the time being, authorities take the view that ships sent by Turkey are in international waters and will be treated like any other ship.

Source: cyprusnewsreport.com

via Cyprus Signals Block On Turkey EU Energy Chapter | Defence news from Greece and Cyprus.

October 16, 2011
Turkey won’t recognize Cyprus as EU presidency

ANKARA, Turkey – Turkey’s prime minister says his country will not sit at the table with Cyprus if it assumes the European Union’s presidency before a deal reunifying the ethnically split island is reached.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan has already warned that Turkey will freeze its relations with the bloc if Cyprus takes over the 27-member bloc’s rotating presidency in July 2012. He said Saturday Turkey will not deal with a “so-called country.” Turkey does not recognize Cyprus as a sovereign nation.

Erdogan also warned Cyprus that Turkey will “retaliate even more strongly” to any further search for oil and gas resources in the Mediterranean. Turkey has already dispatched a research ship and frigates to the area in response to a Greek Cypriot search for fuel deposits.

via Turkey won’t recognize Cyprus as EU presidency.

October 16, 2011
German MEP slams Ankara over Cyprus drills

Reaction shows Turkey not seriously interested in membership, Brok says

German MEP Elmar Brok has condemned Turkey's warnings and threats against EU member Cyprus.

Ankara’s response to Nicosia’s natural gas and oil exploration off the Mediterranean island’s southern coast shows Turkey is not seriously interested in becoming a European Union member, a German center-right MEP, said on Thursday.

In an interview with Deutsche Welle, Elmar Brok, who is foreign policy spokesman of the Christian Democrats in the European Parliament, condemned Turkey’s warnings and threats against EU member Cyprus which is set to take over the bloc’s rotating presidency in mid 2012.

“This clearly shows that Turkey is not serious about its membership candidacy,” Brok told German radio.

Cyprus has signed a production-sharing contract with Noble Energy. The Houston-based firm has a concession to explore for hydrocarbons in Block 12, an area within Nicosia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The Greek-speaking government has signed EEZ agreements with Egypt and Israel with a view to exploit any possible energy reserves in the area.

Turkey, which does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus in the island’s south, opposes any drilling, insisting the profits from any discoveries must be distributed between the two communities on the island.

The dispute has also deepened Turkey’s rift with Israel, once a close economic and military partner.

“[Turkey’s] objective is to become a regional power without any EU commitments; or it would not [act in ways that] provoke the bloc’s future presidency – what is more without any reason for doing so,” Brok said.

Turkey has defied statements from the US, EU and Russia and sent Piri Reis, an aging seismic research vessel, near Block 12 where drilling has already started.

Brok’s remarks followed a vehement protest by DISY MEP Eleni Theocharous to Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule during a plenary session in Strasbourg.

“Can such behavior from a candidate member be tolerated? Will you Mr Fule make mention of Turkey’s behavior in your [Turkish progress evaluation] reports? How much longer can you tolerate such behavior against a small and powerless state? Must the rest of Cyprus be occupied before the European Parliament does something about this?,” Theocharous said.

Fule said the tiff will not affect Cyprus’s scheduled presidency, while condemning Turkey’s reaction to the drilling.

“There are rules and laws. If Turkey chooses not to respect them and it wants to freeze its ties with the EU during Cyprus’s presidency, that is its own problem,” Fule said.

Ankara earlier this month warned it would freeze relations with Brussels if Cyprus is given the EU presidency next year.

ekathimerini.com , Thursday September 29, 2011 (15:12)

via ekathimerini.com | German MEP slams Ankara over Cyprus drills.

September 30, 2011
German politician warns Turkey over Israel, Cyprus threats

By BENJAMIN WEINTHAL, JERUSALEM POST CORRESPONDENT

Brussels diplomat urges Turkey and Israel to foster better relations.

BERLIN – The head of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Bundestag, Deputy Ruprecht Polenz, reprimanded Turkey for its jingoistic policies toward Israel and Cyprus, according to a report in a Turkish daily on Tuesday.

Istanbul’s Hürriyet Daily News quoted Polenz as saying on Monday that Turkey’s statements against Israel recall the language of “Arab dictators.”

“This attitude [of Turkey] may appear to generate support in the Arab world.

However, anti-Israel emotions have been used by Arab dictators for a long time and it’s questionable if that’s worked out,” he said.

“Israel and Turkey’s worsening relations are of serious concern for us,” and Germany is of the view that “two of its friends were fighting,” Polenz said, according to Hürriyet.

According to a report in the Hamburger Abendblatt, Polenz, a deputy from the Christian Democratic Union, the party of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, criticized deficits in Turkey’s application of religious freedom. Polenz took Turkey to task for failing to allow Christians to practice their religion.

Bundestag deputy Volker Kauder (CDU) said mosques are permitted to be built in Germany and Christians should be allowed to build churches in Turkey.

Hürriyet cited remarks from a Brussels-based diplomat, Giles Portman, who serves as an adviser on Turkey at the European Union External Action Service.

“We want to see Turkey and Israel improve their bilateral relations,” Portman said. “We want Turkey to play a role in the Middle East peace process.

Turkey has a capability for that if it has relations with Israel.”

In another stinging remark on Turkey’s aggressive foreign policy, Polenz asked, “Why doesn’t Turkey practice its zero problem policy on Cyprus?” according to the Turkish paper.

Polenz appears to have alluded to Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s declaration that Turkey has “zero problems with neighbors.”

With a view toward Turkey’s application to join the European Union, Polenz suggested that Ankara reevaluate its Cyprus policy and permit Greek vessels from Cyprus to dock at Turkish ports.

The remarks were unusually strong for Polenz, who favors Turkey’s admission to the EU. His position contradicts that of Merkel and many of his party’s deputies, who favor a loose association membership, but not full EU rights for Turkey.

via German politician warns Turkey ov… JPost – Diplomacy & Politics.

September 23, 2011