Cyprus Reluctantly Agrees To Opening Of First Chapter Of Turkish Accession Talks

by Ulrika Lomas, for LawAndTax-News.com, Brussels

14 June 2006

Cyprus has backed down over the opening of the first chapter in Turkey's EU accession talks, on science and research.

The chapter covers an area in which there is virtually no EU legislation, and its completion was expected to be a mere formality.

However, the Greek Cypriot government urged the EU to push first for action in areas such as the opening of Turkish ports and airports to Cypriot vessels, and the recognition by Turkey of the authorities in Nicosia.

According to reports, they argued that Turkey had made no progress in these areas, and only withdrew their veto, allowing the first of 35 chapters to be opened, once a version of the agreement text had been drawn up which warned Turkey that: "Failure to implement its obligations in full will affect the overall progress in the negotiations."

The document also cautioned that the chapter can be revisited, if necessary.

Speaking on Cypriot radio following the climbdown, incoming Foreign Minister Georgios Lillikas was nevertheless in a defiant mood, stressing that the tangle had shown the determination of the Cypriot government.

"From our perspective I don't think there is anyone now in the EU who doubts our assertiveness or decisiveness to stake, to the end, what we consider just for Cyprus," he announced, continuing:

"Now it is known to all that the Cypriot government cannot be taken for granted, and that the Cypriot government is determined to defend the interests of Cyprus to the end."

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